Corvette Market Spring 2009

7 '58 283/245 Makes $130k ■ 140 Corvettes Analyzed & Rated Keith Martin's The Insider's Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends Corvette Market Fast,Cheap & Out of Control 1967/74 vintage racer makes $44k Spring 2009 Bought New in '60—Top Flight in '09 Experts Pick Big-Blocks and Small-Blocks www.vettemarket.com 1990 “Active Suspension” Prototype—Bargain at $66k

Corvette Market Keith Martin's Volume 2 . Issue 7 . Spring 2009 32 A little bit '67, a little bit '74 30 Tastefully updated resto-mod 28 Six-figure price—all in the details Profiles C1 1958 283/245 Convertible—$129,800 28 by John Apen C2 1964 350 Convertible Resto-Mod—$71,500 30 by John L. Stein “The '64 Corvettes have long suffered the stigma of being ‘not enough'—not quite a '63 Split-Window and not quite ready for the big-block, either.” C3 1967/74 “Delmo Johnson” Race Car—$44,000 32 by John L. Stein On the Cover: 1967/74 “Delmo Johnson” Race Car. Photo: Worldwide Auctioneers 4 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com “This one started life as a mid-year Corvette of unknown description and then morphed into the less-well-regarded C3 for no apparent reason.” “Solid-axle Corvettes are not rare, so their value depends heavily on whether the restoration has passed NCRS Top Flight or Bloomington Gold judging.” C4 1990 “Active Suspension” Prototype—$66,000 34 by Thomas Glatch “Active Suspension replaced springs, dampers, and anti- roll bars with sensors, computers, and hydraulics, all in an effort to defy the laws of physics.” C5 1999 Lingenfelter LS7 Twin-Turbo Coupe—$84,800 36 by Michael Pierce ”The buyer gets a car with just 1,800 miles on the ‘new' engine, tons of great add-on bits, and the knowledge that his Corvette is most certainly one of one.” C6 Mini Profiles of Five Velocity Yellow Z06 Coupes 38 by Geoff Archer “Ding, ding, ding. This guy wins our ‘Lowballer of the Month' award for ripping the yellowest Z06 for the fewest greenbacks.”

Market Reports 42 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN 69 Corvettes total $3.1m at the Original Spring Classic by B. Mitchell Carlson 54 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL The annual spring sale sees 38 Corvettes bring $2.1m. by Dale Novak 62 Global Roundup 80 Corvettes from ten auctions equal $1.8m in sales. by CM Market Analysts Features 18 Top Flight: Our man Apen puts his 1960 to the test 22 Racing Vets: Corvette greats gather at the Petersen Museum 24 O Canada: America's sports car north of the border 26 At a Glance: Evaluating a mid-year on the fly 22 A night at the museum Departments 6 Publisher's Note 8 Industry Roundtable: Pick two mid-years, big and small 10 Q&A: Which big-block, C1 wipers, carb conundrum 12 Events: Things to do and places to be with your Corvette 16 Auction Calendar 40 Market Overview 76 By The Numbers: Top sales, February to June 78 In Miniature: Danbury Mint celebrates the '59 Fuelie 78 Speaking Volumes: Fuel-Injected Corvettes, 1957–65 80 Resource Directory 82 Vette-o-bilia: How much for that Duntov in the window sticker? www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 5 The Petersen Automotive Museum

Publisher's Note Trusting Expert Advice Corvette Market Keith Martin's Volume 2 . Issue 7 . Spring 2009 Publisher Keith Martin Art Director Kirsten Onoday Executive Editor Paul Duchene Managing Editor Stefan Lombard Auction Editor Jim Pickering Auction Analysts B. Mitchell Carlson Linda Clark Tom Glatch Daniel Grunwald John Clucas Chip Lamb Norm Mort Dale Novak Contributors Carl Bomstead Marshall Buck Colin Comer John Draneas Michael Pierce John L. Stein Senior Web Developer Jerret Kinsman Information Technology/ Internet Bryan Wolfe Intern Bloor Redding III Financial Manager Nikki Nalum Operations Manager Jennifer Davis-Shockley Print Media Buyer Wendie Martin Director CM Television Roger Williams ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Executives Ted Alfano Corvettes will be on display all summer long W elcome to issue number 7, which represents our nearly two-year immersion into the world of Corvettes. While I have owned several Corvettes over the years, it was only through the creation of this magazine that I began to make connections with the people and organizations that drive the world of Corvette collecting forward. You'll find many of the key players in every issue of CM; thoughtful caretakers of the Corvette flame, including David Burroughs, Roy Sinor, and Kevin Mackay, among many others, have been generous with their thoughts and time as we have worked to make CM the authoritative resource for the serious Corvette collector. From all of the contributors to CM, we continue to share information in every issue about the various nuances that set one Corvette apart from another—why some are worth tens of thousands of dollars and others worth hundreds of thousands. Why 1990–95 ZR-1s are so cheap despite their prodigious performance, and why having an oversize gas tank in your 1963 coupe means you've got an extraordinary vehicle on your hands. Above all, we are continually reminded of the importance of proper documentation. In this issue, you will read about some Corvettes described as “numbers-matching,” yet they have a state-issued VIN with no paperwork to establish the original VIN. That's not a description I'd want to take to the bank. Due diligence before purchase is the single most important item we—and all the analysts and contributors associated with CM—continue to stress. With so many research resources available, there's really no excuse for buying a car you aren't 100% comfortable with. As we all know, even “original paperwork” can be forged, so if you are paying sixfigures or more for a car, don't let yourself be satisfied with a cursory glance through a yellowed folder. Borrowing a line from Ronald Reagan, “Trust but verify.” As you read this, we will be en route to Bloomington Gold, a celebration of Corvettes that all of us at CM thoroughly enjoy. I am honored to be the emcee of the various judging and award ceremonies, and to be a part of the second annual Survivor Car Show. Come by our booth at Bloomington, introduce yourselves to me, my wife Wendie, and our reps Cody Wilson and Ted Alfano, and share your thoughts. After all, it is through hearing your questions, and helping you find the answers, that we make CM a more useful tool for all of us. Look for us as well in Monterey in August. In partnership with our sister publication, Sports Car Market, we will have a presence at nearly every auction, car show, and concours. As a CM reader, you are heartily encouraged to be a part of the CM/SCM gang and take part in the activities there. ■ 6 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com ted.alfano@vettemarket.com 877.219.2605 x 211 Cody Wilson cody.wilson@vettemarket.com 877.219.2605 x 213 SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions Coordinator Mary Artz Subscriptions 877.219.2605 x 204 9 am to 5 pm, M-F service@vettemarket.com 503.253.2234 fax CORRESPONDENCE Phone 503.261.0555 Fax 503.253.2234 General P.O. Box 4797 Portland, Oregon 97208 FedEx/DHL/UPS 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97232 Web www.corvettemarket.com Corvette Market magazine (ISSN# 1939-6481) is published quarterly by Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Corvette Market, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208. The information in Corvette Market magazine is compiled from a variety of reliable sources. However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability for the timeliness, use, interpretation, accuracy, and completeness of the information presented. All material, data, formats, and intellectual concepts in this issue © 2008 by Keith Martin's Corvette Market, LLC, Automotive Investor Media Group, and Automotive Investor in this format and any other used by Corvette Market magazine. Copyright registered with the United States copyright office. PRINTED IN USA

Insider's View The current state of the Corvette market You have been asked to find two mid-years for a collection— one small-block and one big-block car. Which year would you choose, which engine/transmission options, and what color? What would you pay and why? David Burroughs CEO, Bloomington Gold Normal, Illinois That's like asking me to tell someone how to paint his bedroom.What I would choose is not necessarily appropriate for what someone else has to live with. But if the collector followed my taste it would not be an easy search. 1. Both cars would be unrestored originals, with no more than 20% restored or refinished. 2. The small-block would be a Tuxedo Black/black 327/350 4-speed 1967 convertible. 3. The big-block would be a Rally Red/red 396/425 4-speed 1965 coupe. (Yes, you'll roast.) The 350-hp convertible is a low-main- tenance, fun driver, and black is always a classic color. The 396 is a rare and refreshing change from the ubiquitous '67 435. Red is a “power color” consistent with the horsepower, and the red interior makes it a very rare combination—adding to its value as a collector car. This would be a visually exciting pair. Price range for the small-block convertible would be about $48k–$85k, and the big-block coupe should set you back about $70k–$125k. Colin Comer President, Colin's Classic Automobiles Milwaukee, Wisconsin Since no budget or intended use was mentioned, I will keep in mind my intended use and the “big picture”—value. Pick #1: 1963 Z06 Split-Window coupe, N03, 36-gallon “big tank” car, L84 327/360 fuelie, M20 4-speed. Concours restored with all real/original parts and its original drivetrain. Any color except red. For a real car with air-tight history, no stories, and the right awards, my target price is $250k–$350k. I think these cars represent value at a not- crazy premium over a garden-variety 1963 Split-Window. I'd get just as much enjoyment as I would from a multi-million-dollar Grand Sport or a Z06 with great race history. Pick #2: 1967 L88. Coupe preferred, but I'd make do with a convertible, of course. They made 20, and I'd look for the best example available. You can't choose your parents, and with 20 cars you can't choose your color, either. Since all L88s came with the M22 Rock Crusher 4-speed, F41 suspension, J56 brakes, etc., I don't even need to specify options. These are on (or just over) the ragged edge of streetability, but I don't care. This is the ultimate big-block Corvette engine, in arguably the best-looking Corvette of all. Sign me up. Target price: $1.5–$2m. I can use and enjoy both on the street, and if history is any indication, they will appreciate at the head of the pack. Kevin Mackay President, Corvette Repair Inc. Valley Stream, New York When it comes to the best mid-year small- block Corvette, these are my considerations. The perfect small-block would be a 1967 327/350 with factory air and all options— leather, sidepipes, headrests, etc. I personally prefer a coupe; there's more room and it's quieter. If I bought a convertible, it would have a hard top, since on a hot day most people want the a/c on. The hottest color combination is Tuxedo Black with red or blue interior. Although you can't really enjoy driving an all-out show car, you can enjoy driving a nice survivor, purchased with good factory paperwork for under $100k. An original drivetrain and a no-hit body would be additional perks. If you have unlimited funds and want a good investment, consider a factory '67 L88 big-block. You probably can't buy one for under $2m; they only made 20 and they rarely come up for sale. Black would be my first choice, red second. Black was the rarest color in '67 (815 of 22,940 built), and the most popular color was Goodwood Green (4,283 produced). The ultimate option would be an L88 “tanker” (RPO NO3 36-gallon fuel tank). This type of Corvette has never been found, and whether it was ever produced is questionable. Regardless, this option could easily double the value of the car. 8 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

Terry Michaelis President, ProTeam Classic Corvettes Napoleon, Ohio Number one: 1963 Corvette Split-Window coupe with factory fuel injection 327/360 and 4-speed. Color: Tuxedo Black with red interior, although I'd settle for black interior. Trim tag and VIN tag original and never off the car. Condition: A body-off restored car with few excuses, or a low-mile survivor in at least #2 condition. Awards: Judged by NCRS or Bloomington Gold in the last five years. Price range: I'd love to buy it for $125k, but a “real deal” would be more like $150k–$175k. Number two: 1967 427/435 or 427/400 convertible with factory air, 4-speed, and good options. Factory side exhaust preferred. Color: One of 815 Tuxedo Black cars with red or black interior. Trim tag and VIN tag original and never off the car. Maybe Rally Red. Condition: A body-off restored car with few excuses, or a low-mile survivor in at least #2 condition. Awards: Judged by the NCRS or Bloomington Gold in the last five years. Documentation: An original-motor car or an original unrestored car. If the car was restored with a restoration motor, as much factory/delivery dealer paperwork (documentation) as possible—at least a tank sticker, window sticker, warranty book/Protect-OPlate, car shipper, or dealer invoice. Subject to scrutiny by Al Grenning. Price range: I'd love to pay $275k–$300k, but a “real deal” car would be closer to $350k. Rally Red would cost much less. Roy Sinor NCRS National Judging Chairman, 1996 to present; Owner, Sinor Prestige Automobiles, Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma Both cars must be well documented and unrestored, with the original drivetrain and preferably undamaged body. A well-restored example with authentic paperwork or excellent documentable judging history could be an alternative. For the small-block, a 1965 Milano Maroon/maroon leather 327/365, 4-speed, convertible, two tops, with air conditioning; additional options are nice but not necessary. My estimate is $100k, but be prepared to look long and hard. For the big-block, a 1965 Milano Maroon/ maroon leather 396/425, 4-speed, coupe, with power steering and factory side exhaust. Additional options are nice, but not necessary. My estimate is $165k. Some explanatory notes: Mid-year Corvettes with a solid color motif such as red/red, green/green, etc., are the rarest. Maroon/maroon is extremely rare and only available in 1965. The 365-hp with a/c was a two-year-only option on the solid-lifter engine in 1964 and 1965. These are extremely rare, particularly in a convertible, with production somewhere near 40 in 1965. Add the unique color combination, and there may be only one or two of them ever built. The 425-hp car—a half-year-only option—is also rare, especially with power steering. Again maybe 40 were built. Add the maroon/maroon leather combination, and you may be looking for one or two vehicles. My second choice would be the identical combination in opposite body configuration—a 365-hp coupe and a 425-hp convertible. You could settle for some other colors, but I'd stay with the 1965 365-hp air-conditioned convertible and the corresponding 1965 425-hp coupe. Mike Thelin General Manager, The Chevy Store, Portland, Oregon Most mid-year fanciers would choose a '67 small-block and big-block. In the smallblock, I'd pick a coupe with as many options as possible—air-conditioning, power steering, power brakes, and the optional 350-hp motor. It's not necessary to get sidepipes; the standard exhaust is fine, and I'd want a 4speed. I'm torn on color. I'm a fan of Tuxedo Black and black leather, and that may not be a great choice everywhere, but it works where I am in the Northwest. With only 815 made, it's the lowest-production color. For the big-block convertible I'd want it heavily optioned, a Rally Red car with black leather. Both tops if possible, side exhaust and bolt-on wheels with redlines. I'd take a 427/435—no a/c of course—but a 4-speed. You can have a 427/400 with an automatic, but 435 hp with 4-speed would be the choice of most people. Marlboro Maroon is a popular color, but my first choice is black, and leather would be nice. Low-mileage, original big-block cars are practically non-existent, but a restored real car that's not a clone can score high marks. Prices are a difficult question in this market, but I'd say the small-block coupe is probably $60k–$65k and a numbers-matching 427/435 would be about $125k. Both cars have sold for more, but the market is undergoing a correction and is coming back to enthusiasts. www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 9

Questions &Answers by Colin Comer Some like it hotter I'm thinking of buying a mid-year big-block. 1965 396 or 1966 427—which one is better?—J.A., Sacramento, CA Technically speaking, neither is “better.” Both the 396 and 427 engines are incredibly robust and have very few weak points. What it boils down to is personal preference. The 396 is unique because it is a oneyear-only fitment in the Corvette, as well as the first big-block and the first year for disc brakes and a host of other improvements to the Corvette in general. Now, the '66 427 is also the first year for the 427, which some will argue is just as important. If you want a '66, the early “450” horsepower examples are touted as being worth more. That may be, but under that air cleaner decal there is no difference. I think between the '65 and '66 cars in the marketplace, you'll get more bang for your buck with the '66. My advice, as with any Corvette, is to just look for the best example you can find, make sure it is what it purports to be, and do your homework. I've owned both '65 396 cars and '66 427 cars and I'd defy anybody to note a difference in normal driving. Either way, you can't lose when you get a good big-block mid-year. They are a ton of fun; just don't forget your asbestos shoes. Just avoid rainy days The wipers quit working on my '58 Corvette. It looks like a bitch to repair them. Should I give it a go or just turn it over to a shop and write the check? Any idea how much this'll cost me?—P.K., St. Louis, MO nearly irresistible urge to tinker with them. Hard tops just sit in the garage I just bought a pretty good old 1959. It needs paint 1966 427 If you are patient, pretty handy with mechanical things, and willing to study the factory service manual and some parts books, you can fix it yourself. You are correct; it is a complex Rube Goldberg-esque design with cables and pulleys, but like anything else, it's just nuts and bolts, as they say. If you do give it a go yourself, one tip: Don't put the wiper arms on until you are 100% positive everything is working correctly. I've seen lots of paint jobs scarred up and parts broken when the wipers go the wrong way the first time the switch is flipped. The alternative is indeed to let a Corvette specialist fix it for you. Or you can go the restomod route and install one of the kits that converts the whole works to a more modern system. Cost? Like anything else these days, it is likely a time and materials repair. At $95/hour, you can expect a $300 repair if you are lucky, and a $1,000 repair if you are not. The parts are cheap and read- ily available, so doing it yourself will save the lion's share of the expense if you don't count your time. If all this is still daunting, do nothing and just avoid rainy days—or buy lots of Rain-X. 10 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Resist the urge to tinker I've been trying to decide between a big-block C3 with 3x2 carburetion or just a 4-barrel car. The price difference is significant. Is the 3x2 setup worth the extra money, does it give significantly more performance, or is it just more trouble to tune? —D.H., Denver, CO “Worth” is a relative term. Functionally, you'd likely be better with a single 4-barrel car. They are indeed easier to tune and offer performance that is comparable, unless you are looking for every last tenth of a second in the quarter mile. The added performance of the factory 3x2 cars comes more from changes to the engine specifications than carburetion. All things being equal, a 3x2 car will maintain its price premium over a 4-barrel car, so if you ever sell you will get the extra initial cost back, as well as have more potential buyers, as high-horse cars are rarer and much more desirable. As far as tuning a car with “trips,” find a good mechanic with a chassis dyno and have him set them up once. You'll find when that is done they will stay in fine tune for many years. Just resist the and it doesn't have a hard top. This seems like the time to get one and paint the whole thing together. What should I pay for a hard top and what should I look out for in terms of damage and problems? Is it worth getting one at all? I'm going to have to replace the soft top anyway.—J.Y., Pasco, WA If you think you'll actually USE the hard top, then yes, it is a neat accessory. The problem is I bet it would sit in the garage taking up space most of the time, if you are like most people who have one. They look great installed, but driving with one on is an acquired taste. They amplify everything we try to ignore about our beloved cars—heat, noise, and rattles. If you are still in the market, try Glassworks in Crescent, Pennsylvania (thehardtopshop .com), as they sell fully restored hard tops for around $6k, unpainted, which isn't that much more than people have been getting for beat-up used ones for years. If your car has the frame for the soft top, I highly recommend putting a new convertible top on as well. You'll never be able to predict when you may need it, although it is usually when you are farther from home than you have ever been and there are no gas stations or overpasses in sight to provide shelter. Whatever you decide, good luck with the new “lid” and congrats on the pretty good old '59. ■ Please send your questions to questions@vettemarket.com. All submissions subject to editing. Picking a 396 or a 427? Both mid-year big-blocks can be a ton of fun; just don't forget your asbestos shoes, and buy the best example you can find

Insider's View Event Guide Arizona August 2–8, 2009 Bloomington Gold Tours, Flagstaff A scenic tour like no other to the Grand Canyon, then up through Monument Valley to Mesa Verde and Silverton for a narrowgauge railroad ride. The week is capped off by 120 miles on the prettiest road in America—the Million-Dollar Highway to Ouray and Telluride. The tour includes deluxe lodging, fine dining, plenty of group activities, a welcome basket and car detailing kit, a commemorative guide, and more. $3,145. www.bloomingtongoldtours.com. California June 18–21, 2009 Corvettes at Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe This long weekend kicks off with a golf tournament on Thursday, with a run to the National Auto Museum in Reno on Friday. Bob Bondurant and Dick Guldstrand join the festivities on Saturday for a Meet & Greet, raffle, Corvette show, BBQ lunch, and plenty of gearhead talk. $135. www .laketahoecorvetteclub.org. June 28 All Corvette Gathering, Auburn Don't miss the People's Choice Show & Shine, an all-you-can eat Texas BBQ, a poker run, and a comprehensive awards ceremony. www.corvettecruzin.com. July 12–16 NCRS National Convention, San Jose If you're not already a member, join now and meet up with hundreds of other Corvette owners for five days of informative presentations and tech sessions on a variety of topics ranging from Corvette documentation to vintage Corvette racing to Corvette restoration. The 1959 Corvette will be high- The current state of the Corvette market Send your Corvette event listing to cmcalendar@vettemarket.com. lighted, and there will be Flight Judging, Performance Verification, Duntov Marque of Excellence Judging, McLellan Marque of Excellence Judging, Chevrolet Star/Bowtie Judging, American Heritage, and special displays. www.ncrs.org. August 13–16 Monterey Weekend The CM crew will be all over the Monterey Peninsula for the collector car festivities in mid-August, along with our SCM compatriots. So look for us at The Quail Motorsports Gathering, Concorso Italiano, Automobilia Monterey, Pebble Beach RetroAuto, and at the Bonhams & Butterfields, Kruse, Russo and Steele, RM, and Gooding auctions. www.corvettemarket.com. Illinois June 25–28, 2009 Bloomington Gold, St. Charles Bloomington Gold is the Grand Sport of Corvette events, and David Burroughs and company have another packed weekend planned. In addition to judged events like Gold Certification, Survivor, and Benchmark, the GoldField will feature thousands of Corvettes of every stripe parked on the fairways of Pheasant Run Resort Golf Course. Mecum Auctions will be on hand again to sell hundreds of Corvettes across the block, with hundreds more for sale privately in the GoldMine. The GoldTour, free to all GoldField parBloomington Gold 12 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

Insider's View Event Guide The current state of the Corvette market ticipants, will take drivers on an evening jaunt through the Illinois countryside, led by a field of 1959 Corvettes, this year's 50th birthday cars. A Silver Salute will pay tribute to the 1984, and the Survivor Collector Car Show will celebrate Survivors of all makes and models. Finally, Special Collection XXV, the Grand Finale, will present the largest concentration of the rarest and fastest Corvettes in history, highlighted by cars like the original Corvette prototype, Grand Sport #001, the only 1969 ZL1, and more. CM Publisher Martin will emcee the weekend's judging, his wife Wendie will be at the booth with their twoyear-old “CM-Intern-in-Training” Bradley, and the CM gang will be out in full force. Stop by and say hi. Tickets start at $15. www.bloomingtongold.com. June 27–July 3, 2009 Bloomington Gold Tours, St. Charles This great driving event departs from Bloomington Gold and includes overnight stops at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and Road America Racetrack, Door County, WI, Mackinaw City, Michigan, and the jewel of the Midwest, Mackinac Island, MI. Experience your Corvette on a new level. $3,295. www.bloomingtongoldtours.com. September 28–27 MidAmerica Funfest, Effingham This year marks Mike Yager's 35th in business with MidAmerica Motorworks, and he's celebrating with another giant Funfest, NEWS & NOTES Oregon-based Superior Glass Works has been serving street rodders, drag racers, and restorers for more than 30 years, and they offer an impressive list of more than 20 custom fiberglass and carbon fiber bodies for rods and racers. On June 2, they released the limited-edition Superior 54 Sport Wagon. Styled in tribute to the 1954 GM Motorama Corvette Nomad, the Superior 54 brings those timeless looks to the modern era. Each of the 25 cars comes as a fully assembled rolling chassis, ready for paint, interior, engine, wiring, and any other personal touches. Features of the Art Morrison-built custom chassis include power rack-and-pinion steering, Corvette C5 front and rear fully independent suspension components, choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic transaxle. See it for yourself at Back to the '50s Weekend June 19–21 in Minneapolis, and at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville August 6–9. For more information, visit www.superior54.com. Send your Corvette event listing to cmcalendar@vettemarket.com. Hot August Nights full of special guests, custom exhaust installation, industry seminars and tech tips, a “Best Garage” contest, plenty of room for Corvette clubs, and enough nighttime partying on Friday and Saturday to last a lifetime. Tickets start at $25. www.corvettefunfest .com. Kentucky September 3–6, 2009 Corvette Museum 15th Anniversary, Bowling Green Special displays at this big party will include a place for the “Firsts and Lasts” showing the first and last model of each generation of Corvettes, entertainment in the museum's amphitheater, daily arrivals of Corvette Caravans from across the U.S., the completed renovation of the entire Corvette Museum, and plenty more. www.corvettemuseum.com. Nevada July 31–August 9, 2009 Hot August Nights, Reno More than 800,000 people descend on “The Biggest Little City in the World” during HAN for a week of concerts, sock hops, the Silver Auction, and an endless stream of Corvettes, hot rods, and customs cruising the strip. Most events are free. www.hotaugustnights.com. 14 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

Insider's View Event Guide The current state of the Corvette market Send your Corvette event listing to cmcalendar@vettemarket.com. Auction Calendar JUNE 1—SHANNONS Melbourne, AUS Corvettes at Carlisle Pennsylvania August 28–30 Corvettes at Carlisle, Carlisle This Corvette mega-event will feature a reunion of Corvette race cars from every generation, special guest Mario Andretti, track time at Summit Point, GM honchos on hand to answer questions throughout the weekend, a 50th birthday tribute to the '59, an NCRS Gallery of 22 Corvettes, a gathering of Corvette Challenge cars, a special open-throttle tribute to Carlisle Events co-founder Chip Miller, and so much more. Don't miss it. Tickets start at $14. www .carsatcarlisle.com. South Dakota July 15–18, 2009 Black Hills Corvette Classic, Sioux Falls A weekend full of Corvette-centric events, including a Hot Summer Nites cruise through downtown Sioux Falls, a 400-mile Caravan to Spearfish, dubbed as one of the world's longest and largest Corvette caravans, tech inspection, wine tasting, a social and mixer, lots of racing, and tours to some of the state's most spectacular scenic spots. Starts at $135. www.blackhillscorvetteclassic.com. Vermont June 12–14, 2009 Green Mountain Corvette Classic, Stowe An impressive field of Corvettes will compete for honors in various classes representing more than five decades of production. Lots of Corvette memorabilia, a Corvette corral for prospective buyers, food and beverages throughout the weekend, and more. www.thecorvetteclassic.com. ■ ERRATA In our coverage of the Corvette Market Insider's Seminar (CM6), we incorrectly quoted Jim Jordan on p. 17 with regard to Corvette Challenge cars. Those cars were built in 1988–90, not 1993–95. 16 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com 7—BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS Greenwich, CT 10—H&H Buxton, UK 12-14—LEAKE Tulsa, OK 13—KENSINGTON Bridgehampton, NY 13—SILVER Coeur d'Alene, ID 15-16—BARONS Surrey, UK 19-20—WORLDWIDE Birmingham, AL 20—KRUSE Sevierville, TN 20—KRUSE Topsfield, MA 20—MECUM St. Paul, MN 24—BRIGHTWELLS Herefordshire, UK 26-27—AUCTIONS AMERICA Raleigh, NC 26-27—MECUM St. Charles, IL 27—ICA Providence, RI JULY 3—BONHAMS Sussex, UK 4-5—SILVER Jackson Hole, WY 10-12—KRUSE San Jose, CA 11—SILVER Spokane, WA 12—SHANNONS Sydney, AUS 17-18—BUD WARD Denver, CO 17-18—MECUM Des Moines, IA 18—ICA St. Paul, MN 18—THE COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION Bowling Green, KY 22—H&H Buxton, UK 25—BONHAMS Silverstone, UK 25—ICA Birmingham, AL 25—KRUSE Denver, CO 27-28—BARONS Surrey, UK AUGUST 1—KRUSE Charleston, SC 1—RM Rochester, MI 6-9—SILVER Reno, NV 8—KRUSE Verona, NY 13-15—RM Monterey, CA 13-15—RUSSO AND STEELE Monterey, CA 14—BONHAMS Carmel, CA 15—MECUM Monterey, CA 15-16—GOODING Pebble Beach, CA 23—ICA Deadwood, SD 28—CARLISLE Carlisle, PA 31—SHANNONS Melbourne, AUS SEPTEMBER 2-8—KRUSE Auburn, IN 5—WORLDWIDE Auburn, IN 5-6—SILVER Sun Valley, ID 6—BONHAMS & GOODMAN Sydney, AUS 7-8—BARONS Surrey, UK 11-12—BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS Tacoma, WA 11-12—COX Branson, MO 12—MECUM Canal Winchester, OH 12—ICA Little Rock, AR 16—H&H Buxton, UK 19—ICA Sioux Falls, SD 19—LEAKE Houston, TX 23—BRIGHTWELLS Herefordshire, UK 26—BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS Brookline, MA 26—ICA Springfield, IL 26—RM Los Angeles, CA 26—SILVER Portland, OR 30-OCT 4—CARLISLE Carlisle, PA

Top Flight New to New in 48 years (and 91,551 miles) In 1981, I started a body-off restoration with my then-14-year-old son. We managed to reduce it to a body and chassis and a bunch of boxes by John Apen T here's nothing like a recession to bring prices down, and I can thank the one in 1959–60 for supplying the only brand new car I ever bought. When I was in college at Berkeley, California, in 1956, one of my fraternity brothers returned from home driving a new Corvette. I never got a ride, but after admiring it (and the girls he attracted), I swore that someday I would own such a neat car. Four years later, having graduated, gotten a job at the prestigious Bell Telephone Research Laboratories in New Jersey, and earning over $100/week (while also pursuing a master's degree), I started tracking used Corvettes. Finally, in late 1960, the transmission in my 1949 Olds 98 Holiday hard top gave out when I tried to “rock” it out of a snow drift. So I called Malcolm Konner Chevrolet, which had an independent Corvette sales center, and talked to Corvette salesman Bob Wasserman about a used '58 they had advertised. Bob said why not buy a new 1960? And when I said I couldn't afford a new car, he started talking significant discounts. It had not been a good sales year and he had seven left-over '60s to move. I called several times and every time I asked for more details, the price dropped another $200 or so—about $2,000 in today's money. Finally I was able to borrow a car from a fellow lab employee and get to see the cars in Paramus, NJ. And there, under a foot of snow, sat brand new Corvettes. With a broom we swept enough snow off to see the colors, and I picked out a Honduras Maroon car with the $16.15 optional white coves. Final price was $3,436 for a base-engined 283/230 car with the optional 4-speed transmission, Positraction rear end, whitewalls, thermo cooling fan, deluxe heater, and signal seeking radio. List was $4,520. According to Edmund's new car pricing guide, it appeared I was getting it for below dealer's wholesale. So there was a silver lining in that recession. My wife drove it to her teaching job for a year, and I took the bus to work. Then disaster struck Carol, when a 16-year-old driver whose license was three weeks old ran a stop sign and spread the Corvette front end over a Chatham, NJ, street. The insurance company declared it totaled, and I bought the wreck, since I figured I could fix it for less than the settlement money. It took me and a friend over a year of hard work to graft on a hand laid-up, one-piece front end from a boat outfit in San Francisco and to replace all the other mangled pieces. There was no parts list for the Corvette and no assembly manual when we started. Somehow we cobbled it back together; it looked decent and ran well. My wife and I drove it twice to San Diego from New Jersey in the mid 1960s, on Route 66, naturally. It was our only car for about six years, and then I used it to get to work in Baltimore and Atlanta for 14 years, until a minor accident relegated it to the basement. In 1981, I started a body-off restoration with my then-14-year-old son, and we managed to take everything apart and reduce it to a body and chassis and a bunch of boxes. There it sat for 26 years, while I concentrated on my Ferrari parts business and dealership. Carol Apen and the '60 Corvette What to do with the car in the boxes? With a move to Orlando looming in 2007, I had three choices for my 1960 Corvette: 1. Restore it, which everyone knows doesn't make any economic sense. 2. Sell it—lots of guys wanted to buy it because of all the original parts. Offers were around $20k. 3. Move the pieces to Orlando and think about it for another 20 years. A friend who was into solid-axle Corvettes recommended David Dew, a local guy. Then a Corvette expert from our informal Atlanta lunch group came up with the same name, and finally my dental hygienist, whose husband was restoring a '59, raved about a beautiful restoration she had just seen at a Tennessee NCRS meet. It too was done by David Dew. The die was cast; Dew came, inventoried, and then quoted me what I thought was a reasonable price to do a “correct driver” restoration, and he would do it in under a year. I had restored a number of Ferraris over the years, Those aren't factory fasteners 18 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com and Dew's figures sounded like hallucinations from an inexperienced dreamer, but he'd done 20 complete restorations in the last 15 years, and everyone had high praise about his work and honesty. The “correct driver” restoration was fine with me, because I had no intention of ever selling it. I fantasized about one of my grandkids at a future car show, telling an admirer, “It's been in the family for 100 years.” With only another 52 to go, I had the only sensible reason to restore it. It is a family member.

Top Flight Wearing a new color, and ready for the next 51 years The plans change early on As the disassembly progressed and the parts were cataloged, Dew suggested we go for an NCRS “Top Flight” restoration, because he was enthralled with all the original parts. Of course, everyone knows that if a 95-point car costs $100k, those last five points will cost another $100k. This can be true for exotic one-offs, but several mitigating factors come into play to make those last five points more reasonable where Corvettes are concerned. 1. Top Flight requires “only” 94 points, so you can avoid spending $10,000 each for those last few points. 2. The knowledge, support, and proper reproduction parts availability are fantastic. 3. Most important is the fact that the proper parts, finishes, and original markings are detailed on hundreds of pages of the NCRS judging manuals and judging sheets. It's not a “show” restoration The work proceeded, and unlike many of my earlier restorations, where I had to get intimately involved with the bits that were needed, I just wrote checks for $40k worth of parts, which were entrusted to experienced sub-contractors. Several of these experts had their own Top Flight early Corvettes to prove their dedication to the gods of originality. The whole point of Top Flight is that it is not a “show” restoration; it's supposed to be just like it came from the factory. As one judge said when he opened the cowl vent and saw the overspray on the gasket and the yellow trim cement smeared around: “Perfect, a real mess.” Any good craftsman can spray a completely disassembled car without getting overspray on components. But that is not the goal. You have to know what pieces are supposed to have overspray. The point is to recreate the car as it was assembled nearly 50 years ago. Seeing it for the first time the morning of judging brought back memories from the day I originally picked it up; it was neat, but also a little disappointing, because it had flaws. The day of judgment arrives Last January, a cold, foggy Florida morning welcomed the entrants and the judges for a quick “What to Expect” meeting. The six-hour judging process, with ten to 15 judges, was set for 8 am. The chief judge, in an attempt to diffuse anxiety, detailed the process. Five teams of two judges each spend about an hour on each of five areas— operation, mechanical, interior, exterior, and chassis. Some teams had extra judges— guys in training—and the chief judge of each area could also join a team. The chief judge made the point that the Florida NCRS region has an unusually large number of experienced national judges, so if you did well at this Florida regional level, you would do well at national NCRS meets. Also, with the high level of accurate scrutiny, one could also learn a lot about your car's shortcomings. After six hours, the verdict was in: We lost only 77 points—out of 4,500—so we scored an impressive 98.3 on a 100-point scale. David Dew did just fine, even better than he was aiming for. And there are at least six relative minor items that can be fixed by 20 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com spending less than $25 a point. Dew has a very pragmatic view of not spending more than that per point. For example, you lose four points on the reproduction Firestone tires because they have the federally mandated DOT markings, but to avoid losing those four points, you'd have to find an original set costing $10,000 to $15,000—tires you probably couldn't even drive on. Despite the voluminous judging manuals, there are still items where different opinions are possible. After having eight Top Flight cars in the past, Dew still lost points for items that he had never lost points on before. But unlike Ferrari club and classic car judges, you can actually discuss each deduction, and then sign off on the judge's deduction sheet (and turn in an evaluation sheet on each judge when they finish). I've never been through anything like it in 15 years of entering concours. The judges were friendly, and the conversations were civil and diplomatic. My original invoice from 48 years ago, along with my maintenance records showing $8 for a 1979 water pump (now $90), brought much reminiscing. The restoration included some expenses that were accident-related. For example, the 1963 crash added the following: a complete new front end, press-molded, for $5,280, plus $2,500 for body shop to install. Total cost was $7,800—money I wouldn't have spent on an accident-free body. I'd also count about another $2,000 repairing other accident damage and replacing incorrect parts from the earlier crash (for example, the radiator support piece was from a '62, which was fine for a driver but not for an NCRS car. I had to buy a new '60 piece for $260). A signal-seeking radio cost me $900—when I bought the car I had the radio taken out, saved $80 bucks, and bought a junkyard '57 Chevy radio that fit. The hard top cost about $1k for restoration, new paint, and new headliner. The total cost to revive my car was just under $90,000—a real bargain—which worked out at 98 cents a mile. And now it's ready for the next 51 years, and my family will have a “one-family-owned for a century” Corvette. ■

Night at the Museum Bench Racing with the Gods “At the end of the Mulsanne Straight, there's a bump. Zora told me that after I hit it, I should lift long enough to say ‘Tondelea Schwartzkopf' before braking” by Don Klein F or one magical day last fall, the Petersen Automotive Museum felt like a frat house on Homecoming Weekend. A bunch of the old brothers came back to swap tales of the glory days at the museum's “Tribute to Corvette Racing” celebration. Guys with names like Bondurant, Guldstrand, Jeffords, and Fitch—hard-core racers who took an ill-handling, underpowered two-seater and developed it into an American racing icon. That transformation didn't come easily. GM management in the mid-1950s and early 1960s was typified by strong- A night of legends at the Petersen willed men with independent agendas. For every bigwig who championed racing, there was one eager to squelch it. To make matters worse, in 1957, GM joined the other major manufacturers in banning factory racing support. Although the ban was erratically enforced—and arguably facilitated racing development programs through secret “back door” efforts—the fact remains that the early days of Corvette racing were frustrating and difficult. The tales of the elders Testimony to those difficulties was given by John Fitch. At 91, Fitch is one of the few remaining elder statesmen of the entire sport, let alone Corvette racing. In early 1956, recently returned from his stint with the fabled Mercedes-Benz factory team, Fitch was tapped by Chevrolet Chief Engineer Ed Cole to prep a field of four Corvettes for the 12 Hours of Sebring. By the time Fitch signed on, race day was just five weeks away. Corvette “Godfather” Zora Arkus-Duntov had already turned down the assignment, claiming it couldn't be done that quickly. “To give you an idea of what we were up against,” said Fitch, “the cars had stock wheels which literally broke away from their hubs and flew off the cars at high speeds. And we had to compete with Ferraris, Jaguars, Aston Martins… cars with years of racing development. Looking back, it's a miracle we finished at all.” Yet two of Fitch's Corvettes not only finished, but took first in class. Plus, they were awarded the overall team prize. And with that, Corvette's racing dynasty was officially under way. Under the able orchestration of moderator Tim Considine, the drivers shared both memories and secrets. Bob Bondurant, who won 18 out of 20 races in 1959, recalled that aggressive driving and crowded fields caused so much fiberglass carnage that the only way he could afford to race a Corvette was by having a body shop sponsor him, noting with a wink that “every time a panel was replaced, it was somehow lighter than the one I started the race with.” Who was Tondelea Schwartzkopf? Corvette Hall of Famer Dick Guldstrand revealed Duntov's tip about nursing brakes at LeMans. “At the end of the Mulsanne Straight, there's a bump,” he said. “Zora told me that after I hit it, I should lift long enough to say ‘Tondelea Schwartzkopf' before braking. I'm still not sure who Tondelea was, but that little pause was enough to make the brakes last longer.” Guldstrand also related what it was like to drive the red, white, and blue 7-liter beast from Orly airport to the track through the cheering crowds, exhaust belching from the open sidepipe headers. Tony DeLorenzo, Bill Krause, Andy Porterfield, and Doug Hooper contributed similar memories. Some of the stories had little to do with racing per se, but lots to do with the colorful race scene of the time. Jim Jeffords told a tale involving vacationing nurses, Zora Arkus-Duntov and the back seat of a VW bug. There was also something about hookers in Cuba and statuesque trophy girls. And someone finally set the record straight about how Bondurant earned the nickname “Matinee Bob” (it had nothing to do with going to the movies). The evening was capped by GM Racing Manager Doug Fehan, who spearheaded the return to open factory support for Corvette racing in the late '90s and has guided the team to eight straight American Le Mans Series victories. After adding some first-hand recollections of his own, Fehan made a point that underscored the tremendous accomplishments of Corvette's early racing pioneers. “Today, we have multi-million dollar budgets and multi-year development programs. These guys had virtually no corporate support and were expected to get production cars race-ready in a handful of weeks. They are truly the heroes of Corvette racing.” ■ DON KLEIN sold his NYC ad agency twelve years ago and has been playing with—and writing about—cars ever since. A frequent contributor to AutoWeek, he was Editor-in-Chief of Mercedes Momentum for eight years. 22 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com TRIBUTE GUESTS Bob Bondurant Tony DeLorenzo Bob D'Olivo John Fitch Joe Freitas Lou Gigliotti (current driver) Dick Guldstrand Doug Hooper Gib Hufstader Jim Jeffords Davey Jordan Bill Krause Scooter Patrick Bill Pollack Andy Porterfield Paul Reinhart Sherry MacDonald (Dave's widow) THE CARS On display were a number of significant racing Corvettes, including Rich and Shar Mason's '56 SR-2; Loren Lundberg's 1960 Camoradi Le Mans team car; Bruce Meyer's '60 Cunningham Le Mans team car; Larry Bowman's '63 Grand Sport; Jim Mangione's '63 Z06; Paul Andrews's '62 Gulf Oil team car; Vic Edelbrock, Jr.'s '63 Z06, and Tom McIntyre's '63 427 Mk ll “Mystery Motor” engine. The Petersen Automotive Museum

Corvettes in Canada All the Special Corvettes Came Out “People tend to think Corvette, rather than Chevrolet Corvette. The model is more recognizable than the brand,” said Bob Lutz by Norm Mort was represented by cars from the first and last years), all the Corvette Indy Pace Cars from 1978, 1986, 1998, and 2007, the Anniversary models commemorating the 40th and 50th years of Corvette production, and two of the prototypes highlighting the evolutionary changes along the way. There were five vehicles on display from GM's 200-vehicle Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan. In particular, the 1963 Mako Shark and 1969 Manta Ray were shown together for the first time outside GM. Now more commonly re- Ron Fellows Z06, one of many stars in Canada I t may come as a surprise to our American cousins, but we Canadians buy more convertibles per capita than Americans. In fact, Canadians love sports cars—especially Corvettes. Canadian enthusiasts have always been eager to purchase 'Vettes, most often “special” limited-edition models. The biggest problem over the decades has always been factory allotment. A run of 2,000 specially equipped models might translate into 200 for all Canadian Chevrolet dealers, of which there are approximately 350, though numbers are dwindling. Many more Corvettes could probably find good homes, but supply is the problem. The Corvette remains, as Karl Ludvigsen put it, “America's Star-Spangled Sports Car,” and that was reinforced once again at the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto this spring. While most international auto shows around the world dabble in collector vehicle displays, Toronto has a tradition of featuring grandiose presentations of everything from Ferrari to Bugatti. This year, the big theme was “Corvette: An American Legend,” sponsored by Castrol Canada and located in the outer foyer leading into the History Room, which housed the majority of the Corvettes at the Metro Convention Center. The ten-day event was hosted by the Corvette Club of Ontario, which was formed in 1962. The CCO was Canada's first Corvette club and is also the largest. Of the 29 Corvettes on display, enthusiasts in the CCO supplied 14. The display featured all models (each generation 24 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com ferred to as the Mako Shark I, the Mako Shark was originally the 1961 XP-755 Shark concept from Bill Mitchell that was designed by Larry Shinoda with a double-bubble top complete with a periscope. By 1964, now bearing the name Mako Shark, this experimental vehicle had transformed into a full roadster and was powered by a supercharged 427. Other changes included a restyled, simulated wood dash and cast alloy lace wheels. The shark-like appearance was enhanced by its restyled snout, gills, and dark blue to fade-away white paint. Forty-five years later, it still stopped visitors in their tracks. Inside the History Room, the 1969 Manta Ray sat front and center, surrounded by all the generations of Corvettes. The dramatic-looking Manta Ray evolved from a former show car—the Mako Shark II—with a modified front end, including a chin spoiler, cleaner, smoother flanks with less conspicuous sidepipes, the removal of the rear window louvers, and the addition of a sleeker extended tail. The first-off-the-line (V5100001) 1997 C5 convertible, the 1986 C4 Pace Car coupe, and a 1953 Roadster were the other offerings supplied by GM Heritage. Another highly visible Corvette was the personal 2006 Z06 owned by Canadian- born Corvette racer Ron Fellows, who lent his name to the special-edition model in 2007. Much of the equipment Chevy and Fellows added to this car found its way on to the 2007 Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06, which dominated the GT1-class in the ALMS. Fellows was on hand throughout the show to talk about Corvettes and to sign autographs. A few years back in a press presentation about brand names, Bob Lutz observed that in the case of the Corvette, the Chevrolet association had virtually been lost. “People tend to think Corvette or 'Vette, rather than Chevrolet Corvette. It's a case where the model is more recognizable than the brand.” His opinion was visibly illustrated at this Corvette display; there was no “Chevy” connection in any of the signage. Just another example of how this huge company has lost its way—when it can't even capitalize on one of its few strengths to reinforce its brand. ■ NORM MORT has written columns about and authored five books on collector vehicles and sports cars over the past 25 years. He is the owner of CIA Car Appraisals in Canada.

Once Over Two Minutes to Evaluate a Mid-Year At the front corners of the hood surround, running your finger on the underside toward the fenders will tell you the story of a lifetime by Jim Jordan W hen I am interested in the potential purchase of a mid-year, the basic condition can usually be determined rather quickly, without getting into close examination of hidden serial numbers and intensive interrogation of the owner. Just like any car, the first glance will tell you a lot. Here's what I look for: Stance Does the car sit right at all four corners? The center body line should run parallel to the ground up to the front of the wheel opening of the front fenders, where it tapers down. There should be no sagging on any corner. If there is, that's not the end of the evaluation, but further examination is warranted. Standard suspension vs. heavy-duty suspension will have a different stance, with the latter sitting an inch or so lower. While looking at the body lines, a once-over of the paint can be made. A trained eye will determine paint and bodywork quality and type quickly. Body Mid-years had distinct body features, and in most in- stances gap tolerances were on the tight side. Headlights had smaller rather than larger gaps, in the 1/8-inch range. Gaps of 1/4 inch can signify inferior workmanship and collision damage. If the hood is up, a close look at the upper surround gutter can tell many stories. A clean, unaltered, undamaged lip with the correct widths is a good sign. One with tears, cracks, etc. can mean the engine was in and out more times than could be counted, meaning a not-sodesirable street or strip racing past. What does the upper surround gutter reveal? Another quick determination is one that will take practice but will tell the story of a lifetime. At the front corners of the hood surround where the hood abuts, running your finger on the underside of the surround toward the fenders will tell you a story. It should be free of filler and should feel like 320-grit sandpaper to the touch. If it is smooth to the touch it could have been replaced with a reproduction surround or entire front. They just don't feel the same, and this is a simple examination that can be done discreetly as well. This area is also the weak link of the fiberglass front and will crack with the lightest of impacts. No damage here means a lot. If filler is felt or the surface is too smooth, a good look at the frame is next. The area around the front coil springs toward the center section will buckle under impact, and any wrinkles will indicate prior collision damage. While under the car, take a quick look for chassis rust in the usual areas of the rear frame section, as well as chassis component condition. Performed correctly, the above inspection can be done in a few minutes and will separate a mediocre car from a very good one. If the car passes muster, then I keep on moving to the major components, engine stamp, trim tag, and interior condition, etc. If it fails the two-minute test, I just move on to the next car. There are just too many Corvettes out there to start out with one that has serious needs. ■ Should not be sagging if restored 26 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com JIM JORDAN is the president of County Corvette in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

C1 profile 1958 283/245 Convertible Rarity of color means nothing on early Corvettes, since the color is not documented on the car's data plate and there are no records to validate by John Apen Chassis number: J58S101733 A lthough the cars built from 1953 to 1955 introduced the Corvette to America, it was the 1956 second series that truly earned the title “America's Sports Car.” The clean good looks of Harley Earl's new body design struck a chord with the American public, and it quickly outsold the older style by three to one. In addition, Zora Arkus-Duntov and Chevrolet Engineering had dramatically altered the personality of Chevrolet's sports car with powerful small-block V8 engines and improved handling. For 1958, the Corvette featured greater comfort, and its appearance was revised with the first quad headlights. 1958-only touches including a louvered “washboard” hood treatment and twin chrome decklid strips, consistent with the increased use of chrome. Performance continued to be emphasized, and the 245-hp, dual-quad 283 ensured the Corvette was competitive, with quarter-mile times in the 15-second range. Chevrolet produced 9,168 Corvettes in 1958, and it was the first and only year in the C1 generation that yellow was available; only 455 were produced. Yellow was not offered on a Corvette again until 1965. And while most people assume that all 1956 to '61 Corvettes had a contrasting color in the cove, it was a $16.15 option, and only 37% had it. Of those, only 190 of the Panama Yellow cars had white coves. Displaying a full professional restoration completed in 2008 by Rick Adams, owner of RadAir in Minnesota, this fine Corvette received a 97.9% score for its originality and quality, earning the coveted Bloomington Gold Award in 2008. As expected of a show-quality restoration, the Corvette's fit and finish are out- standing. The car is one of 2,436 dual-quad 283s, with hydraulic lifters for easier maintenance. It has a 4-speed transmission, Positraction rear axle, signal seeking radio, courtesy lights and charcoal upholstery, as well as both tops. Award-winning and rare, this Corvette is an excellent example with a striking Panama Yellow finish. 28 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Details Years Produced 1958–60 Number Produced 1958, 9,168; 245hp, 1,417 Original List Price Base: $3,591. As equipped: $4,525.45 CM Valuation $44,000–$83,000 Tune-up $200–$400 Distributor Cap $35, NCRS approved reproduction Chassis # On left door hinge pillar post Engine # Partial VIN and engine ID code stamped on pad located in front of right cylinder head Club Solid Axle Corvette Club; National Corvette Restorers Society More www.solidaxle.org; www.ncrs.org Alternatives 1955–57 Ford Thunderbird, 1954 Kaiser-Darrin, 1954 Woodill Wildfire CM Investment Grade B Photos: RM Auctions

CM Analysis This Corvette sold for $129,800, including buyer's premium, at RM's Automobiles of Amelia Island auction on March 14, 2009. Nicely pre- sented in an eye-catching color, it was a tribute to proper restoration and how it should be presented. Restorer Rick Adams was with the car for most of the two days, answering questions and showing a trunkful of documents detailing this car's history, restoration, and the 17 judging sheets from the Bloomington Gold award, with judges' comments on hundreds of nit-picking details. It scored 97.9 points and had fewer than ten miles since its beautiful restoration. A 1959 with similar mechanicals, a 245-hp dual-carb, 4-speed car, sold at the Branson Auction in Missouri for $61,800 a month later. That car, in silver with white coves, was also described as having a complete restoration, yet sold for less than half the price of the Amelia Island car. So what accounts for this huge difference in price? There are strong lessons here about what “restoration” means and its validation in the Corvette world. Let's look at the difference between a '58 and '59 The catalog for the Branson 1959 Corvette stated: “Inca Silver with white coves and a red interior. Powered by a numbers-matching, 283-ci, 245-hp V8 with dual factory 4-barrel carburetors. A complete restoration has been performed, including a new interior, new paint, and excellent chrome. Options include Wonderbar radio, heater, and both hard and soft tops. The trunk is fitted with the correct spare, mat, board, and cardboard.” Let's compare the two cars. There's not much difference in desirability between the '58 and '59, although some critics decried the trunk chrome spears and the 18 fake hood louvers of the '58 when it was new and still consider them styling excesses. But while the '59 and '60 models are practically identical, the '58 belongs to a category by itself, and you either love it or hate it. Today, because of its uniqueness, it tends to bring higher prices. Of four popular price guides, three value the '58 higher, by a few thousand dollars, although some enthusiasts say the '58 is worth up to $10k more. Still, the big difference in the prices achieved at these two auctions has to be the bidders' perception of what type of restoration they were getting. The cost of an NCRS Top Flight restoration vs. a “driver” restoration adds about $15k–$25k to a body-off restoration that already runs around $80k–$120k. Another factor played up in the catalog descriptions was the rarity of the color scheme—only 190 '58 Panama Yellow cars with white coves were originally produced. The combination of silver with white coves, on the '59, only appeared on 220 cars. But there's a hitch: rarity of color means nothing on these early Corvettes, since the original color is not documented anywhere on the car's data plate, and there are no factory records to validate color or equipment. Any color, with or without contrasting coves, is permissible, so long as the colors were available in that year. So it is entirely possible that of the 190 yellow/white cars, only 400 have survived, and the national judging bodies don't deduct points for color changes. Color is a preference, not a rarity or value factor. And while the yellow car attracted a lot of attention, CM's reporter on the scene at Branson, Chuck Leighton, said “the silver looked amazing,” at least from 20 feet. Nobody around and no documentation However, when he got close it was evident that the “restoration” was not recent, not to NCRS standards, and had not held up well. The paint had cracks, and the door jambs showed masking tape lines. The interior indicated recent dyeing. The dash appeared to have been removed to either dye or replace the vinyl pad and now didn't fit and “was obviously forced into place.” The perhaps once-correct engine bay had fuel-stained carbs, and the repro factory stickers had been damaged by none-too-subtle pressure washing. So it was basically a decent driver with an older, tired restoration. And there was nobody around and no documentation of the restoration or any hint of it passing scrutiny by marque judges. All of this adds up to the difference between the two prices. So buyer beware: solid-axle Corvettes are not rare, and in most cases, there isn't any way to determine what colors, options, engines, or transmissions originally came with the car. Value depends heavily on whether the restoration has passed the scrutiny of Top Flight or Bloomington Gold judging. As Rick Adams, the restorer of the yellow '58 said, “I'm not much of a salesman. I find it difficult to say a car is NCRS ready or restored to NCRS standards. I just get them judged and provide the judging sheets to the buyer so they can see what they are getting.” The way to buy a proper Corvette is to examine the judging sheets, which represent over 100 hours of scrutiny by knowledgeable judges, or to buy a driver at half the price and just have fun using it. Decide what you want and how much you want to spend. I would call both of these cars fairly sold and fairly bought, with prices representative of the quality of the underlying restorations. ■ (Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.) JOHN APEN is a collector, historian, and former vintage racer in Orlando. He owns several vintage Ferraris and a 1960 Corvette he's had since day one. www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 29

C2 profile 1964 350 Convertible Resto-Mod Someone liked this car well enough to pay real money for it, when a genuine disc-brake 1965 convertible could be had for a similar investment by John L. Stein Chassis number: 40867S108132 I ntroduced in 1963, the Bill Mitchell-designed Corvette Sting Ray was a quantum leap in the Corvette's ongoing development. Equipped with a revolutionary yet simple independent rear suspension conceived by Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Corvette matured into a true sports car. Continuously improved, the Corvette featured an ever-expanding list of avail- able engine and transmission combinations, and offered high performance, nimble handling, and cutting-edge styling. The 327-ci small-block V8 engine was a highly developed and formidable performer, available in four levels of tune ranging from 250 to 375 horsepower in 1964. As a result, the Corvette was, and continues to be, the standard by which other sports cars are judged. This truly outstanding 1964 Corvette convertible was originally built in December 1963. Today, it benefits from a concours-level restoration, and it is presented in as-new condition throughout. Finished in Ermine White with a Saddle Tan leather interior, the Corvette is powered by a small-block V8 with a single four-barrel carburetor and backed by a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission. Other very desirable features include P48 knockoff wheels, A31 power windows, the N11 off-road side-mounted exhaust system, and upgraded power disc brakes. It will certainly make a welcome entry into many competitive Corvette shows and events, and will provide a thrilling top-down driving experience. CM Analysis This car sold for $71,500, including buyer's premium, at RM's Classic Next to Mogadishu or maybe Baghdad, I can't think of a worse place than Detroit Car Auction of Michigan in Novi, Michigan, on April 25, 2009. 30 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Details Years Produced 1964 Number Produced 13,925 Original List Price $4,037 CM Valuation $39,000–$68,000 Tune-up $400–500 Distributor Cap $25 Chassis # Cross brace under glovebox Engine # On block in front of right cylinder head Club National Corvette Restorers Society More www.ncrs.org Alternatives 1967–68 Shelby GT350, 1963–67 Austin-Healey 3000, 1964–67 Jaguar XKE CM Investment Grade B Photos: RM Auctions

to try selling a collector car last spring. With abandoned real estate available for virtually nothing, two of the Big Three teetering at the precipice of doom, almighty Pontiac and Oldsmobile in history's dustbin, and the ugly specter of Big Brother further commanding the car business, it's a wonder anyone had the jones to buy anything at all. But there it was—a bright-white '64 Sting Ray small-block convertible, paddled up to an impressive $71,500 at the gavel. Anybody who's awake and alert is learning some valu- able financial lessons these days, and the consensus in the collector car world is that top-quality, desirable models will hold more of their value for longer than iffy, lowerrange cars, or any vehicle with stories. Another lesson is that there is still real money out there (witness the $12.4 million Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold in Maranello, Italy, on May 17); a lot of folks still have cash and credit available, and many others, such as scientists and lawyers and accountants, still have swell-paying jobs and are actually in a position to benefit from the recession. So despite the travails of the common man, these members of the fortunate elite now find themselves in an enviable position of cherry-picking some of the best and brightest cars at prices that have backtracked several years at least. '64 Corvettes suffered the stigma of being “not enough” Which brings us to the 1964 Corvette Sting Ray convertible that rolled on stage at RM's Michigan auction as lot number SP07. Technically, this was a resto-mod done up to look totally stock but equipped to suit the builders' opinion of what the best '64 Corvette would have. Assembled by Paragon Corvette Reproductions using parts from the company's own C2 catalog (see it at www.corvette-paragon.com/t-1964Project. aspx), the restoration was completed in 2007 from a donor '64 with a reported 35,000 miles on the clock. About 700 miles were put on the car after restoration. As pictured here, it was meticulously restored with a desirable combination of fea- tures, including Ermine White paint (the second most popular for the model year), tan leather upholstery, a later roller-rocker 350-ci engine bolted to a 4-speed gearbox (a 5-speed would have been better), plus the sidepipes (never my first choice), knockoff aluminum wheels (okay if you like 'em), and even power windows (unnecessary on any sports car). As was reasonably common during the period, it was also outfitted with a '67 Corvette disc-brake upgrade (an excellent choice). I found it interesting that someone liked this car well enough to pay real money for it, when a genuine disc-brake 1965 convertible could be had for a similar investment. Like the undernourished puppy of the litter, though, 1964 Corvettes have long suffered from the stigma of being “not enough.” Here's why. In coupe form, the '64 model lacks the distinction of the one-year-only 1963 Split-Window design, while both coupe and convertible precede the superior disc brakes and optional big-block 396-ci V8 that debuted for 1965. As well, the '64s were neither first nor last in the Corvette mid-year lineage, and likewise lacked the halo of the optional 1963-only Z06 racing package. However, the truth is that most of this means squat to someone who simply wants to drive the car, and to this point the second-year '64 is still a fine mid-year Sting Ray and highly rewarding to own and operate. Upgraded components and drivability The car sold here brought strong money for the right reasons: It's a thorough and competent restoration using upgraded components to improve drivability, while retaining a stock appearance. Auction reporter Phil Skinner made a careful analysis of the car at auction. “Paint was very good; no signs of stress or other cracking but the right headlight pod needed minor adjustment,” he wrote. “Interior was proper, but there is minor wrinkling of the top material and the chrome showed a very slight patina or hazing. Underhood was very clean with no seepage found, and the undersides were clean enough to impress a cruise-in but needed some work for the 'Vette purist.” On the value theme, he continued: “A couple of years ago, on a stage to the west, this might have seen six figures and been in the low $90k range in other places, but the market has pulled back, and while cars like this have dropped a bit, the seller should be quite proud of the dollars raised for this car. The new owner can expect appreciation on this purchase, but it might take a while.” Until that happens, nice as this car was, given the current market conditions, I'd call it well sold. ■ (Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.) JOHN L. STEIN served as editor of Corvette Quarterly from 1998 to 2005, the only independent editor to lead GM's flagship magazine. www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 31

C3 profile 1967/74 “Delmo Johnson” Race Car At half its $80k–$120k estimate, this beast was a decent buy, if you want thunderous noise, scare-your-pants-off performance, and paddock groupies by John L. Stein Chassis number: None Roll bar number: 032518 A fter many years in retirement, Corvette Grand Sport racer Delmo Johnson was encouraged by some Texas friends to become involved in vintage racing. He acquired this, his last race car, around 1990 from his old friend John Mecom, an equally famous Texan. The car began life in 1967 as a Sting Ray racer, and had a distinguished racing history, having been driven by the likes of Alan Sevadjian and finishing first at the 1979 SCCA Runoffs before being disqualified on a technicality. It later crashed at Road America in 1982 with Sevadjian at the wheel when the throttle stuck. Although it flipped many times, Alan emerged unscathed. The car was rebuilt and prepared to 1974 IMSA and SCCA GT1 specifications without regard to cost. It has far too many competition upgrades to list, including a fuel cell, safety cage, adjustable suspension, fire-suppression system, and IMSA-legal wide-body configuration. The safety cage doubles as a chassis frame improvement that leaves the car many times stiffer than stock. Delmo says he wanted the car because it reminded him of the Grand Sports, and he knew no better car of its type existed. The professionally built 366-ci Chevrolet cast-iron small-block engine is ready to race and has run less than one hour since completion. It is equipped with a forged steel crank, aluminum heads, cog belt-driven dry-sump lubrication system, and 750-cfm Holley carb. An all-synchromesh close-ratio Borg Warner Super T-10 aluminumcase transmission, limited-slip rear axle, aluminum radiator, oil, transmission, and power-steering coolers, competition gauges, and an onboard Halon fire system are also included. All accessories are state of the art, and the car is carefully prepared and is legal for three major vintage racing clubs. The legal weight is 2,850 pounds, equating to 4.22 lb/hp with the engine's 675 horsepower. 32 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Details Years Produced 1967 Number Produced 8,504 Original List Price $4,388.75 CM Valuation $40,000–$50,000 Tune-up $400–500 Distributor Cap $25 Chassis # Cross brace under glovebox Engine # On block in front of right cylinder head Club National Corvette Restorers Society More www.ncrs.org Alternatives 1963–67 Corvette, 1964–67 Sunbeam Tiger, 1965–66 Mustang K-code vintage racers CM Investment Grade C Photos: The Worldwide Group

The 1974 IMSA cars are the newest and among the fastest in vintage racing. This car will be supplied with signed testimony by Delmo Johnson and will be autographed by him if the purchaser desires. CM Analysis This car sold for $44,000, including buyer's premium, at Worldwide's This Corvette reminds me of the classified ad: “Lost dog: Has three legs, one Houston Classic in Seabrook, Texas, on May 2, 2009. testicle, half a tail, and no teeth. Answers to the name ‘Lucky.'” The fact that only one bidder stepped up to pay $44,000 for this fully prepared king-hell SCCA racer means there are serious questions about its provenance—or about mankind's faith in Corvettes and vintage racing. While the Worldwide catalog clearly represents it as having started life as a 1967 Sting Ray that later morphed into this 1974-spec racer after a disastrous rollover accident, this is too wide a jump for most collectors. The problem isn't that this vehicle is a race car—in some cases that can be a defi- nite plus. Rather, the trouble is that it started life as a mid-year Corvette of unknown description and then morphed into the less-well-regarded C3 for no apparent reason, except that someone wanted a Shark silhouette racer. From an architectural standpoint, the 1963 through 1982 Corvettes were actu- ally similar, so the transformation makes sense if you had a good race-prepped '67 chassis with a trashed body, a penchant for the wild 1974 IMSA specifications, and a fiberglass wizard to bring it all together. No substantive race history given Anyway, those troubled waters have long since swirled under the bridge and, like it or not, today this vintage racer simply is what it is. Because little mention is made of any racing exploits except for the crash in Wisconsin and the DQ at the Runoffs—neither at Johnson's hands—we can only assume that it was basically an also-ran in SCCA amateur racing during its volatile career. But at $44,000, less than half its $80k–$120k estimate range, this beast was a de- cent buy, if you want thunderous noise, scare-your-pants-off performance, and to leave paddock groupies gaping as you Gumby yourself inside and hit the Start switch. Because the all-out racing Corvettes of the 1970s—best epitomized by John Greenwood's line of wide-hipped IMSA missiles—were truly beasts of outrage, festooned with giant wheels, tires, and brakes, with huge flared fenders and elongated nose and tail sections serving as aerodynamic aids. A quantum leap from the tastefully finished James Garner L88 (CM5, p. 28, sold at B&B Quail Lodge for $744k) of a few years before, they were the funny cars of sports car racing. Quite literally, the '74 IMSA cars took production Corvettes as far as they could possibly go... and then a step beyond for good measure. However, this is apparently not one of them, but merely a later copy; according to Worldwide it was built up years later. Looking at this car's positives, it's done up in an attractive blue and white paint scheme—America's racing color combination back when pride in country was in fashion. It appears to be expertly fabricated and restored, with all of the necessary racing equip- www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 33 ment present and accounted for, including an ice chest for your cool suit, which you're probably going to need during every 20-minute lapping session in this hotbox. And the fact that the catalog photos were taken at an airport suggests that the seller is also into aviation, which means money is probably one of the languages in which he is fluent—and hopefully it was spoken often during the engine build, chassis preparation, and safety system installs. Fair price, but what lies beneath the skin? So this rebodied 1967 Corvette racer has a new home for what appears to be reasonable money. But the story is far from complete. Given the value of verifiable mid-year Corvette race cars nowadays—especially ones with decent history—one wonders what actually lies beneath the skin. The catalog says the new owner would receive a bill of sale only, so presumably that means there is no title, and given the vulnerable location of a '67 VIN (riveted beneath the glovebox, and also stamped atop the left-rear frame arch), there may be no numbers on this vehicle at all. But here's where the game of chance comes into play. What if this hodgepodge had actually started life as something really desirable, like a heater-delete or heavy-duty brake '67 coupe with a viable race history? If we're lucky, someone will let us know. And that kind of news could change this from a good buy to a steal. ■ (Introductory description courtesy of Worldwide.)

C4 profile 1990 “Active Suspension” Prototype The cost of Active Suspension on the ZR-1 was estimated at $35k–$40k. Service would have been difficult, and the hydraulics left no room for error by Thomas Glatch Chassis number: EX5881 T his vehicle pioneered the advantages of “Active Suspension” and featured GTP Corvette race car technology. Built at the Bowling Green plant, the vehicle was developed as a prototype for a limited-edition run in the 1990 model year. This is a concept vehicle. This vehicle will be conveyed to the buyer with no manu- facturer statement of origin (MSO) or title, and the vehicle does not have a complete VIN. Sold on bill of sale only. CM Analysis This car sold for $66,000, including buyer's premium, at Barrett-Jackson's Defying the laws of physics—that was the promise of Active Suspension. Instead of auction in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 11, 2009. Details using springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars to react to and manage a vehicle's dynamics, Active Suspension systems used sensors, computers, and high-pressure hydraulics to totally control a vehicle's behavior. An “active” automobile could actually lean into a curve while preventing any faults in the pavement from upsetting the steering and cornering dynamics of the car. John Dinkel of Road & Track magazine wrote after driving one of the Active Corvette prototypes: “A stock Corvette has wonderfully quick, direct and precise steering. The effort and feedback are superb. But after jumping back into the standard 'Vette, I thought some engineer must have removed the car's steering system and replaced it with mushy spaghetti while I was evaluating the active car. There was that big a difference. Incredible, simply incredible.” He experienced driving through a turn a full 15 mph faster with the Active car than with a standard Corvette. Like many revolutions in auto racing, Team Lotus invented Active Suspension for Formula One. Development began in 1981, and by 1983, the system would see limited action with Nigel Mansell at the wheel. At around the same time, Lotus Engineering was beginning development of the engine and chassis of what would become the ZR-1 Corvette. In December 1985, Lotus was purchased by General Motors, and by 1987, GM had budgeted $27 million to develop Active Suspension for the ZR-1. Built a fleet of 50 prototypes, only two remain Ronald W. Cox, who was Manager of Advanced Body and Chassis Electronics for Delco Electronics in Kokomo, Indiana, wrote in the GM Next wiki: “Delco Electronics, 34 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Years Produced None Number Produced Approx. 50 prototypes Original List Price n/a CM Valuation $66,000–$150,700; (standard ZR-1 $34,000–$46,300) Tune-up $350 Distributor Cap $149.49 Chassis # Driver's side dash at windshield Engine # Pad forward of cylinder head on right side Club National Council of Corvette Clubs More www.corvettesnccc.org Alternatives 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-2 “Big Doggie”, 1989 Corvette DR-1 convertible, 1989 Corvette ZR-1 “Snake Skinner” CM Investment Grade A a subsidiary of GM Hughes Electronics, provided CPC (Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada) Engineering with prototype active suspension electronic control modules during 1986. In early 1987, CPC Engineering established a program to evaluate the technology by building a fleet of 50 active suspension Corvettes with the ZR-1 32-valve engine. Instrumentation for this program was initially proposed to be the vehicle qualified Buick Touchscreen Photos: Barrett-Jackson

CRT system developed for the 1986 model year Riviera and Reatta, but the vehicle engineers preferred to have the instrumentation on their new laptops. The required 50 units were delivered to the Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly plant as required complete with software operating as specified.” Over in F1, Lotus never fully came to grips with the technology, but the Williams team got it to work. By the 1993 season, the Williams cars were lapping nearly two seconds per lap faster than the non-Active competition. The advantage was so unfair, and the cost of developing the systems so high, that F1 banned Active Suspension for the '94 season. Then a hydraulic failure on Alex Zanardi's Lotus during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend caused such a horrific crash that the systems were gone by mid-1993. 3,000 psi system added weight, generated heat, sapped power For all the benefits of Active Suspension, why didn't it make it to the production ZR-1? During the media press preview for the 2009 ZR1 Corvette, one of the two remaining Active Corvette prototypes was on display. Harlan Charles, Corvette Product and Marketing Manager, explained that the system could consume over 25 horsepower in a hard turn, though only 3 hp was needed at rest. The hydraulic fluid, circulating at 3,000 psi, required extra heat exchangers and vents for cooling, while the added components brought the total weight of the Corvette to nearly 4,000 pounds. Those added components included aircraft-grade pumps and actuators, along with cutting-edge electronics, and the cost of Active Suspension on the ZR-1 was estimated at $35k–$40k. Service in the field would have been difficult, and the high-pressure hydraulics allowed no room for a mechanic's error. As is often the case with pioneering technology, lessons learned in the Active Corvette program were used a few years later. The F45 “Selective Real Time Damping” option introduced on the 1996 Corvette, while not a true active system, used sensor and digital signal processor technology developed on the Active Corvettes. And the F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control option available since 2003 is an active suspension that uses a “smart” magneto-rheological fluid instead of high-pressure hydraulics to accomplish what the 1990 Active Corvettes attempted to do. It seems Chevrolet built 50 or more Active Corvette prototypes, but only two remain. One car, EX5878, was displayed at Corvettes at Carlisle in 2007. CM reported on the sale of the other prototype, EX5881, in CM6, when it sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale for $150,700 (p. 44). Yet here was EX5881 on the block again, just three months later. I'm not sure why it was auctioned a second time, but if the Active Corvette prototype was “a good buy on an important and unique engineering study” at $150k, at $66k it was an absolute bargain, at least for the buyer. And a major loss for the seller. ■ (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.) THOMAS GLATCH has been an automotive writer since 1983. His work has appeared in Corvette Fever, Corvette Magazine, Sports Car Market, and elsewhere. www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 35

C5 profile 1999 Lingenfelter LS7 Twin-Turbo Coupe With 93 octane fuel, the 8.5:1 compression engine puts out 750 horsepower; with 109 octane fuel, the horsepower jumps to 905 by Michael Pierce Chassis number: 1G1YY22G6X5109943 T he name John Lingenfelter has become a legend in the world of performance engineering. For over 30 years, it has been synonymous with world-class performance, taking great cars and trucks and reinventing them. Lingenfelter has twice worked his magic on this 1999 Corvette, adding twin turbochargers and beefy internals to its 346-ci LS1 and taking the car to 226 mph for a Motor Trend cover story, which called it “the fastest, meanest street-legal car we've ever tested.” Now the Torch Red coupe, serial number 001 in that first series of Lingenfelter C5 Stage II twin turbos, is faster and meaner than ever, because the original LS1 has been replaced by another Lingenfelter-built powerhouse. Displacing 427 cubic inches, the specially prepared, all-aluminum LS7 is fitted with a 4340 forged steel crank, JE forged aluminum pistons on forged Manley rods, and the entire assembly computerbalanced. A custom Lingenfelter hydraulic roller camshaft works stainless steel intake and Inconel exhaust valves in CNC ported-and-polished heads. The turbocharging system was developed by John Lingenfelter and has been proven in hundreds of reliable installations. Comprising two liquid cooled, engineoil-lubricated Garrett true ball bearing turbochargers, Lingenfelter compressor, and exhaust housings with integral waste gates, twin high efficiency air-to-air intercoolers and 304 stainless steel 4-into-1 custom exhaust manifolds, the system generates over 905 fire-breathing rear-wheel horsepower. Carefully considered upgrades were performed on the drivetrain, suspension and brakes to compensate for the increased power. A triple-disc carbon fiber clutch was installed, along with a hardened, high-strength driver's side half shaft for durability and 36 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Details Years Produced 1997–2005 Number Produced 10 Lingenfelter coupes (18,078 C5 coupes) in 1999 Original List Price $48,725 with options + LPE mods for $90,000 total. $70,000 more spent on LS7 conversion CM Valuation $50,000–$80,000 Tune-up Same as new LS-7; less than $350 Distributor Cap $12 Chassis # Driver's side dash at windshield Engine # Pad forward of cylinder head on right side Club National Corvette Restorers Society More www.ncrs.org; www.lingenfelter .com Alternatives 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 1997–2001 Callaway C12 CM Investment Grade C

Hotchkiss sway bars for handling response. The original LPE-designed Lingenfelter Signature Series wheels were sent back to manufacturer HRE and reinforced with stronger hubs to handle higher torque loads, then fitted with the latest high-speed Michelin tires. Six-piston front and four-piston rear Baer calipers with vented and slotted rotors are capable of slowing the car from well over 200 mph in little more than a heartbeat. Occupant safety is thoroughly addressed with a bolt-in roll bar, safety harness, and fire extinguisher. Custom-built and later upgraded by Corvette performance guru John Lingenfelter, this overwhelming performer is well documented with detailed records, videos, dynamometer performance sheets, and autographed memorabilia. CM Analysis This car sold for $84,800, including buyer's premium, at Mecum's Original Spring Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 17, 2009. With its extensive aftermarket alterations and an interesting history of performance upgrades and documentation, the sale price seems healthy enough for a ten-year-old Corvette. However, the two upgrades to the car over the past ten years cost prior owners close to $100,000, not counting fuel, routine maintenance, and insurance. Or the initial purchase price of the car. Dick McKee, a Florida resident, owned this Torch Red Corvette and sent it to Lingenfelter Performance Engineering in early 2000 for the 650-horsepower, twinturbo upgrade package—cost at the time, $40,000. LPE used the original block, heads, and intake, although their special technologies, engineering, and performance internals readily doubled the factory horsepower. Other than the addition of Baer brakes, a dual-disc clutch (to hold the 600 ft-lb of torque), adjustable Penske shocks, and narrower tires, the car was stock. Previous record in Callaway Sledgehammer In 2000, just after the work for McKee had been completed, Motor Trend maga- zine suggested that John Lingenfelter attempt a street-legal speed record run at the Transportation Research Center in Ohio with this car. John had previously set a world record driving for Reeves Callaway in the 1988 Callaway Sledgehammer, going through the clocks at 254.8 mph. At the track, on the day of this attempt, the air temperature was just above freezing, with a slight tailwind. In order to keep the back end of the car on the ground, 300 pounds of sand bags were stuffed into the rear compartment of the car. Instrumentation showed 6,050 rpm in fifth gear, and it made 226 mph. It was undoubtedly quite a ride, but still 30 mph shy of the Sledgehammer's ten-year-old record, so the team and the magazine reporters went home disappointed. The gap between the Lingenfelter's 640 hp and the Callaway Sledgehammer's 898 hp was too big to bridge. In fact, nothing challenged the Callaway record for 16 years until the 1,000-hp Bugatti Veyron came along in 2005. It had a claimed top speed of “only” 253 mph, and it wasn't until 2008 that the Shelby SSC squeaked by its 20-year-old rival with a top speed of 255 mph.. McKee kept the car for many years, but eventually sold it to another Florida resident, Talmadge Dobbs. As if the first LPE modification was not enough (can it ever be too fast?), the new owner sent the car back to Lingenfelter for a second upgrade. This time, an all-aluminum, 427-ci LS7 with twin Garrett turbochargers was installed. The price tag was close to $70,000 and constituted Lingenfelter's 725-horsepower engine package. Baer six-piston front/fourpiston rear brakes were added, as www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 37 were remotely adjustable Penske shocks, an octane boost controller, a Ron Davis radiator, special wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport IIs. To accommodate the fat tires riding on 19″ x 12″ rear wheels, the car was “mini-tubbed.” The octane boost controller has settings for 93/100/109 octane. With 93 octane fuel, the 8.5:1 compression motor puts out 750 horsepower; with 109 octane fuel, the horsepower is 905. Between McKee and Dobbs, they enjoyed over 40,000 miles of high-performance drivability before Dobbs put the car up for auction. The new owner gets a great driver with only 1,800 miles on the “new” engine, a three-disc carbon fiber clutch, Hotchkiss sway bars, roll bar, safety harnesses, and the fact that his Corvette is most certainly one of one. If he has a mind to pursue the Sledgehammer's 254.8 mph record, it would seem to be attainable. However, while a fast car, it was clearly a financial disaster, as are nearly all custom performance cars. In fact, for the money the new owner spent, he could have his pick of a new Z06 with change left over, or be two-thirds of the way to a new ZR1—either of which represent new technology and, wonder of wonders, a factory warranty. In that light, I call this car very well sold. The new owner has an unusual, one-off car with an interesting history, and if you equate thrills with dollars, this was a good buy. If you're merely counting greenbacks like Mr. Scrooge in his vault, the sellers didn't recover much of their investment, and the new owner shouldn't expect to get his money back when he goes to sell it himself. ■ (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum.) MICHAEL PIERCE is a longtime NCRS Judge who ranks in the top few dozen. He has judged Corvette events around the world, and his own Corvettes have won Top Flight, Bloomington Gold, and Duntov awards.

C6 by Geoff Archer 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 coupe #280333418610. S/N 1G1YY26E865108901. Velocity Yellow/ebony leather. Odo: 22,153 miles. 35 Photos. Parsippany, NJ. 23,155 mi. Dealer seller (Paul Miller) posts a 1,318 word description, none of which describes the condition of this actual car. Looks to be in #2 cond. 1 Best Offer bid, sf 61, bf 75. Cond: 2. CM Analysis SOLD AT $43,500. Ding, ding, ding. And the “Lowballer of the Month” award goes to this guy, who ripped the most yellow Z06 for the fewest greenbacks. Well bought. A Selection of C6s that sold recently on eBay mini profiles Condition inferred from seller's descriptions; cars were not physically examined by the author. All quoted material taken from the eBay listings. sf=seller's feedback; bf=buyer's feedback C6s appear infrequently at land-based auctions, so CM turns to eBay Motors for a sampling 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 coupe #230338885163. S/N 1G1YY25E085130914. Velocity Yellow/ebony leather. Odo: 878 miles. 22 photos. Frisco, TX. “This car is just like off the showroom floor. It has been kept in its own one car garage since its been home. You will not be dissapointed super clean. Has sticker price of $72,875.00. 450 of the 878 miles came from one road trip. This car has been pampered and only driven by me never raced or never burnd any rubber off of the tires. The car has been kept in the garage every night” 1 bid, sf 105, bf private. Cond: 1. CM Analysis SOLD AT $52,500. A great buy on a nearly new Z06. 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 coupe #180346723944. S/N 1G1YY26E385117959. Velocity Yellow/ebony leather. Odo: 436 miles. 52 Photos. San Diego, CA. 436 mi. “It Is A One Owner Whom Recently Had To Let This Car Go.” MSRP of $78,540 includes chrome Z06 rims for $1,995, special paint for $750, 2LZ Preferred Equipment at $3,045, and navigation at $1,750. Short description includes the comically worded “Interior Is Still In Its New Stage.” 14 bids, sf 55, bf 50. Cond: 1. CM Analysis SOLD AT $59,980. A good deal on a low-miles Z06, but not the best I've seen. Still, well bought. 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 coupe #380119677625. S/N 1G1YY26E785118693. Velocity Yellow/ebony leather. Odo: 805 miles. 31 Photos. Dallas, TX. 805 mi. “This is an UNTITLED 2008 Z06! This is a 3LZ car with Navigation and Chromes that has an MSRP of $82040!” 1 Buy-It-Now bid, sf 77, bf 52. Cond: 1. CM Analysis SOLD AT $59,800. Chevy dealer seller says, “Here's an awesome deal on an awe- “used” cars with the same mileage. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette coupe #180350607320. S/N 1G1YY26W095100353. Velocity Yellow & black/ebony leather. Odo: 2,355 miles. 20 Photos. Baton Rouge, LA. “LS3-6.2 LITER 430 H.P. ENGINE, MX0- 6 SPEED PADDLE SHIFT AUTOMATIC $1,250, NPP- DUAL MODE EXHUAST $1,195, Q9V- FORGED CHROME ALUMINUM WHEELS $1,850, U3U- AM/FM STEREO CD PLAYER, DVD NAVIGATION WITH BOSE 7 SPEAKER SOUND, Z51- Z51 PERFORMANCE PACKAGE, $1,695, 3LT- 3 LT PREFERRED EQUIPMENT GROUP... $4,555, 45U- VELOCITY YELLOW TINTCOAT $750, FOR A TOTAL M.S.R.P. OF $60,940. ALONG WITH SEVERAL GM FACTORY ACCESSORIES INCLUDING: BODY GRAPHICS (REMOVEABLE), RACING SPOLIER, COLOR KEYED DOOR HANDLES, AND DOOR SILLS WORTH OVER $3,500!!” 11 bids, sf 108, bf 182. Cond: 1. CM Analysis SOLD AT $49,499. Normally we would expect 25% first year depreciation. In today's Either way, this used 2009 was very well sold. economy, one imagines that a brand new one could be had for the same money. 38 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com some car.” Being untitled, I'll have to agree—even though I've seen better prices on

Market Report Overview Spring Corvette Sales Total $7.1m Condition and documentation were more important than ever, and examples with both originality and good histories brought good money by JimPickering C ontinued market instability was a source of worry for many sellers within the Corvette world throughout the early spring months. But as was the case at the Scottsdale auctions in January, well-documented cars still brought respectable prices at almost every auction location. However, examples with issues were again harder to move, and a number of sellers were faced with the choice of coming to grips with current market values or taking their cars back home with them. Barrett-Jackson returned to Florida in mid-April for its annual Palm Beach sale, where 38 Corvettes sold at no reserve for a final total of just under $2.1m. Like the Scottsdale auction in January, GM Heritage offered a collection of vehicles for sale, and it was those cars that became the talk of the auction after Washington officials abruptly halted their sale due to the complaints of a single individual disgruntled over title issues. Barrett-Jackson was extremely careful to point out, both in Scottsdale and in Palm Beach, that the cars were offered on salvage and scrap titles and in most cases could not be registered for road use, and thankfully, the company was able to resolve the dispute in time to add the remaining GM Heritage cars back into the lineup on Friday night. Several very interesting prototypes from the collection were offered, including a 1988 twin-turbo coupe that made $42,900 and a C6 test mule that brought $24,200, but the high Corvette sale of the event went to a 1959 custom LS3-powered convertible at $148,500—an interesting result, as custom Corvettes have recently been a harder sell. Mecum's 22nd annual CM 1–6 Scale Condition Rating: 1: National concours standard/perfect 2: Very good, club concours, some small flaws 3: Average daily driver in decent condition 4: Still a driver but with some apparent flaws 5: A nasty beast that runs but has many problems 6: Good only for parts Spring Classic auction took place in mid-May, with 138 Corvettes crossing the auction block throughout the four-day event. Sixty-nine found new owners at a combined $3.1m, led by EX87, the 1955 prototype built by Zora Arkus-Duntov. Part of the Bob McDorman Collection, it had been reunited with its original Smokey Yunick-built 307-ci V8, which featured the first “Duntov” cam and powered the car to record speed runs at the GM Proving Grounds and at Daytona. It was bid to $328,600. Other Corvettes from the McDorman Collection included a 1988 Corvette Challenge car that made $42,400, the first 1960 convertible, which failed to sell at $290,000, and Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell's 1968 327/300 coupe, which returned to the collection at an Top Ten Sales This Issue 1. 1955 Corvette EX87 prototype roadster, $328,600—Lot# F208, p. 44 2. 1963 Corvette 327/360 Z06 coupe, $192,500—Lot# 287, p. 64 3. 1959 Corvette LS3 Custom convertible, $148,500—Lot# 652.1, p. 56 4. 1962 Corvette 327/360 convertible, $143,000—Lot# 674.1, p. 56 5. 1954 Corvette roadster, $138,600—Lot# 14, p. 63 6. 1958 Corvette 283/245 convertible, $129,800—Lot# 292, p. 63 7. 1954 Corvette roadster, $110,000—Lot# 664, p. 56 8. 1960 Corvette 283 convertible, $99,000—Lot# 637.1, p. 56 9. 2004 Corvette Classic Reflections convertible, $90,200—Lot# 654, p. 60 10. 1967 Corvette 427/435 convertible, $84,800—Lot# F45, p. 48 10. 1967 Corvette 427/400 convertible, $84,800—Lot# F104, p. 48 10. 1999 Corvette Lingenfelter 427 Twin-Turbo coupe, $84,800—Lot# F243, p. 53 10. 2008 Corvette Z06 427 Edition coupe, $84,800—Lot# S73, p. 75 10. 2007 Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows Edition coupe, $84,800—Lot# F197, p. 53 Best Buys 1. 1963 Corvette 327/360 Z06 coupe, $192,500—Lot# 287, p. 64 2. 1957 Corvette 283/283 convertible, $83,740—Lot# F43, p. 44 3. 1967 Corvette 327/350 convertible, $46,988—Lot# 167, p. 68 4. 1964 Corvette 327/300 coupe, $29,849—Lot# SP70, p. 66 5. 2005 Corvette C6 Test Mule coupe, $24,200—Lot# 57, p. 60 insufficient $23,000 bid. The biggest news of the auction in general was the consignment of 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona coupe CSX2601, which won the FIA World Championship for the U.S. and Shelby in 1965. After much interest, it failed to sell at a high bid of $6.8m. At both Palm Beach and Indy, as well as at other sales throughout the country over the past several months, it's been demonstrated that condition and documentation have become even more important in bringing high prices than ever before, as despite the current downturn in the market, buyers are still willing to pay good money for the best, most original, and most well-documented Corvettes out there. ■ 40 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

Market Report Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN 22nd Annual Original Spring Classic Duntov's EX87 test car, thought to be the first true “performance” Corvette, generated excitement on the block, selling for $328k Company Mecum Auctions Date May 13–17, 2009 Location Indianapolis, Indiana Auctioneers Mark Delzell, Mike Hagerman, Jim Landis, Bobby McLaughlin, Matt Morauec & Jeff Knox Overall cars sold / offered 638/1,046 Total sales rate 61% Sales total $33,622,996 Corvettes sold / offered 69/138 Corvette sales total $3,130,450 Corvette high sale 1955 Corvette “EX87” Prototype, sold at $328,600 Buyer's premium McDorman decided to cut this one loose Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson Market opinions in italics L ast year, Mecum made the decision to change the location of its annual Spring Classic sale from Illinois to Indiana, and anyone who was there knew that Dana and company were on to a good thing. This year's event—despite economic uncertanties—proved it. While the big news car this year—the consignment of one of the six Shelby Cobra Daytona coupes—ended up coming short at a $6.8m bid, there were quite a few Corvettes to take up the slack. Top sale in the Plastic Fantastic department was the 1955 “EX87” test car assembled by Zora Arkus-Duntov for high-speed runs at the GM Desert Proving Grounds and at Daytona. Restored with the same small-block V8 that was built up for GM by Smokey Yunick, this is considered to be the first true “performance” Corvette, and it was the first Chevrolet to be fitted with what would later be known as the Duntov camshaft. The car generated quite a bit of interest when it was on the auction block, and although it went down to the wire, now-former owner Bob McDorman elected to let it go at $328,600. McDorman also consigned a number of Corvette Sales Total other historically noteable Corvettes, including a 1988 Corvette Challenge car, several C5 and C6 Indy 500 festival cars, the first 1960 and 1998 convertibles, and cars owned by singer Roy Orbison, race team owner Ozzie Olsen, 42 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com $500k $1m $1.5m $2m $2.5m $3m $3.5m 0 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 $300 on the first $5,499, $500 up to $9,999, 6% thereafter, included in sold prices and Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. Noteable Corvettes that made the swing-and-a-miss list include one car that was bid higher than EX87—a 1969 L88 coupe. This 12,000-mile car was scheduled to be accepted into Bloomington Gold Benchmark judging in June, and the consigning dealer was not going to lower the reserve by $25k to match the $425,000 final bid. Other high no-sales included a 1963 Z06 coupe at $300,000 and a 1955 convertible at $160,000. Post-block deals resulted in what ended up being the top money car of the event—the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C, CSX3034. By Sunday, it wore the trademark yellow Mecum SOLD sticker after a deal was reached at $1,234,900. While there is some uncertainty in the collector car market now, one thing is for certain: Mecum seems to have found a winning combination with this new venue. Over $3m in Corvette sales helped bring Mecum's total for the nearly week-long event to nearly $34m, and despite some generally cool and sometimes wet weather throughout most of the event, all in all it went well, with consignments up by 294 lots, the sales percentage up by 6%, and the total gross up by over $10m above the figure set in 2008. ■

Market Report C1 TOP 10 #1 #F208-1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EX87 roadster. S/N VE55S001399. Polo White/red vinyl. Odo: 17,742 miles. 307-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Modified by Zora Arkus-Duntov, with fixed tonneau over passenger's seat, small cockpit windscreen, and headrest tail fin behind driver's seat. Authentically restored by Steve Tate to its EX87/5951 GM tracking number condition after he obtained the motor from Smokey Yunick's estate. Body and paint better than original, motor just starting to show light heat cycling. Period authentic steering columnmounted tachometer, additional dash-mounted Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN Best Buy #F43-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N E57S105399. Venetian Red & beige/tan cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 4,615 miles. 283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Radio and heater delete, “dog dish” hubcaps on stock steel wheels. High-quality frame-off restoration a few years ago. Excellent quality bare body repaint, all replated or replacement chrome and trim, mostly better-than-stock body prep and panel fit. gauges. Minimal seat, carpeting, and steering wheel wear. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $328,600. This is considered to be the first true highperformance Corvette, having been modified by Zora Duntov by placing the Smokey Yunickprepared small-block V8 used in the prototype Corvette V8. Zora had the motor rebuilt and had what became the prototype “Duntov cam” installed to set records at both the GM Arizona Proving Grounds and Daytona Beach in 1956. With this provenance, this was well bought, and should make for easy estate planning for the owner—ship to Bowling Green, KY. #S81-1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N VE55S001579. Harvest Gold/ dark green vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 95,653 miles. 265-ci 195-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Chapter-level NCRS Top Flight award in 2008. Older frameoff restoration with some recent cosmetic fluffing. Better-than-stock body prep and paint application, good older rechroming. Wears a 1975 California Highway Patrol inspection sticker on windshield. Older replacement top Passenger's door alignment off. Heavily reinforced inner wheelwell openings. Show quality engine compartment detailing, authentically restored interior with minimal to no wear. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $83,740. The seller dropped his reserve at the end of the bidding, yielding one of the better buys on a Corvette at this auction, even if it was one of the higher selling C1s here. All you have to do is write the check to buy it, then show it and enjoy it. #U64-1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N DMV58002CA. Silver Blue & Inca Silver/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 27,354 miles. 283-ci 290-hp fuel-injected V8, 4sp. California assigned VIN stamped on a repop stock serial number tag affixed with slotted pan screws. Heavier prep and sanding to exterior to remove all body seam broadcasting, but there is still some light body ripple. Excellent quality paint application, all reproduction brightwork fitted. Stock door and trunk panel fit typically off. Authentically restored engine bay and White/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 11 miles. 283-ci 290-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Higher quality newer frame-off restoration, lots of external body prep eliminates almost all body wave, excellent repaint with few issues. Betterthan-stock hood and door fit, typical trunk lid fit with uneven gaps. All brightwork either replated or replaced. Show quality engine bay detailing, but now with some fuel staining behind the base of thermostat housing. Nearly all reproduction interior components with no wear. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $290,000. I can certainly understand that serial number one for any given year should command something of a premium, but $200k extra for 1960 seems a bit over the top. We won't even go there about the $350k reserve. Well, it's going back to the same garage, so nobody really proved anything here. #T89-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 20867S102881. Ermine White/ white vinyl & hard top/red vinyl. Odo: 18,580 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Light repaint over the external surfaces, with original paint in door jambs, panel gaps, and rockers. Retains stock slight body wave and a few light seam broadcasts. Some slight overspray on hard top's door seals, which are also starting to crack. with some slight shrinkage and soiling. Well detailed engine bay and undercarriage, older interior restoration showing minimal wear. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $160,000. One of about 120 (no one can say for certain exactly how many) Harvest Gold with dark green 1955s—a color combo only a John Deere dealer could love. The consigning dealer was rock-solid on getting $200k on it, and in Gypsy Red or Corvette Copper, I could see that, but in the same color combo as a 530 row-crop, I'd have cut it loose. 44 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com undercarriage with all correct components and finishes. Fresh interior soft trim and brightwork. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $75,000. Without the original serial number—even though it is legally titled—the final bid was more than gracious. While it can be understandable for a state entity to issue a VIN under several circumstances, none of which help the car's value, things would seem more plausible if that number was augmented by 1958 serial number. It does seem a bit silly to claim that the car is “numbers matching” and yet there was no sign anywhere of what the car's original serial number was. Proof that said “numbers matching” term is open ended at best. #F211-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 00867S100001. Ermine Repaint quality on hard top lesser than that of the body. Wavy replated bumpers, mostly buffed out original trim. Reproduction seat upholstery and carpeting, good untouched original door panels. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $51,000. As '62s are some of the most desirable of the C1s, I would agree with the consignor in holding out for a bit more. Even as a bare-bones base-engine car, as an occasional driver, this would be a good buy at a price not too far north of $50k. C2 #S173-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 coupe. S/N 30837S115092. Ermine White/saddle leather. Odo: 29 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Z06 package, along with leather interior, pb, J65 metallic

Market Report Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN brake pads, and radio delete. Bloomington Gold certification, Chevyfest Gold Spinner award, NCRS Top Flight & Top Gun awards in 2007. 2005-era frame-off restoration superbly done. Slightly shaved rear wheelwell lips, better-thanstock body prep and paint application. Concours quality detailing to engine and undercarriage. Well-fitted interior shows no wear. Cond: 1+. NOT SOLD AT $300,000. One of 63 “tankers” made in 1963, and claimed to be the only one with this option configuration. It didn't take long to tell that the restorer sweated the details here. It was announced that it would take $365k to get a deal done, although that or the final bid could easily establish this car's value, since the old “it's worth what someone is willing to pay” statement definitely applies here. #F210-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE GM Stying coupe. S/N 40837S104833. Pearl Blue/white leather. Odo: 51,028 miles. 327ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Modified by GM Styling for Bill Mitchell's friend Ozzie Olsen with one-off cast sidepipes, six taillights, wire wheels with triple bar knockoffs, and pearl blue paint. Restored in the early 1980s by Werner Meier to the original configuration. Repainted to high standards of that time, and showing only a few light polishing swirls and 4-sp. Factory options include pb, tinted glass, pw, back-up lamps, and both tops. Claimed to be a Bloomington Gold Survivor, but without documentation presented to prove it. Mostly original paint, some resprayed areas expertly matched and blended. Light paint cracking on cowl vents, few light chips to hard top's left side. All original paint on door jambs. Well preserved original chrome and interior, cleaned up original engine finishes with some discoloration. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $80,000. This would have to be one of the most desirable 1964s out there—a mostly original fuelie in red. As such, I can hardly blame the consignor for posting a $100k reserve. If there was a need for a fire sale, then the $80k would seem to be fair, but try to find another to duplicate this one. #T142-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194675S117981. Red/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 32,067 miles. 396-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with a/c, AM/FM radio, pw, and knockoff alloys. Lightly shaved rear wheelwells. Stripped and recently repainted, retaining original light body waviness and seam broadcasting. Gaps good on both doors, passenger's side needs a good slam to close. Slightly Good quality bumper replating, older engine bay detailing work starting to get dingy. Top quality reproduction interior soft trim expertly fitted. Some secondary wiring dangling below dashboard. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $66,780. As further proof on why lot T142 should've brought more, I present this car. Certainly 1966s seem to bring a touch more than '65s, but basically these cars have the same driveline—and the top doesn't fold or come off this lesser condition one, unlike the bright red '65. The consignor wisely lifted the reserve at $62,500, making this one well sold. #F203-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194376S109442. Mosport Green/ green vinyl. Odo: 26,619 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Factory optional a/c, ps, and pb. Formerly owned by singer Roy Orbison. Wears a newer quickie repaint over minimal body prep. No door seals of any type fitted on either door, but there is some painted-over glue chips. Original interior a bit ratty in places, with discoloring original off-white seat belts and moderately worn leather. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $105,000. Ozzie Olsen was the founder of the Olsonite Toilet Seat Company, and with that financial backing was a sponsor of several race teams in the '60s and '70s. Back when this car was restored, it was used on a semi-regular basis, so it's starting to get a bit tired. Relatively cheap for a GM show car without title issues, but far from minty fresh, so the final bid was market correct. #S84-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 40867S106324. Riverside Red/white vinyl & red hard top/red vinyl. Odo: 86,217 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 46 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com wavy replated bumpers, with mostly buffedout original trim. Motor rocks slightly at idle. Cosmetically well detailed engine bay, newer well installed interior soft trim showing minimal wear. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $47,000. Being a 425-hp motor, this was made toward the end of the model year. The seller was holding out for $60k here, and I'll side more with him than the bidders on this one. #T232-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194376S126263. White/blue vinyl. Odo: 17,195 miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with original knockoffs. Bodywork retains most original light rippling and has some light seam broadcasting. Good repaint with some light overspray on vent window seals. Crack noted at right rear outboard headlight opening. residue. Easy to reach brightwork replaced, dull and pitted vent window frames. Reproduction seats, door panels, and dashpad, remainder of interior original and heavily worn. Sometime it the '80s the engine got a spray-bomb paint job, including over grease and wiring. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $35,510. The Orbison connection, while interesting, wasn't enough to warrant spending this much on this needy example. Well sold considering the issues noted. #W75-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194676S105608. Sunfire Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 55,690 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with side pipes, ps, pb, AM/FM radio, tilt/telescopic column, and teak wheel. Reproduction knockoff alloy wheels. Newer repaint over excellent body prep with sharp character lines and no seam broadcasting. Average quality bumper replating with mostly buffed-out original trim. Fresh, authentic engine bay detailing with modern ACDelco battery the only thing that doesn't look circa 1966. Older replacement seats and carpeting starting to show some wear from limited use.

Market Report Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $58,300. Bid up to $51k, and when the owner wouldn't let the reserve go, the last bidder raised his bid to meet the owner's $55k reserve. It's not too often I see that tactic actually work, but at least all parties agreed that this was a $55k car all day long. #T41.1-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194676S104456. Milano Maroon/white vinyl & maroon hard top/black vinyl. Odo: 69,626 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Replacement engine. Some slight body rippling and seam broadcasting, chunk of fiberglass broken off at right front wheelwell inner lip. Decent repaint recently applied, touched-up gouge in hard top on driver's side B-pillar. Driver's door gap rather wide up the current market. As proof, the bidding here started at $45k. Five years ago, this would've been a lock to sell for just over $100k, but today this is fully priced as a darn nice driver or lower tier show car. TOP 10 #10 #F104-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S115438. Red & white/white vinyl & red hard top/white vinyl. Odo: 50,869 miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Factory optional a/c, ps, pb, sidepipes, two tops, AM/FM radio, and alloy wheels. Tank sticker claimed, but not displayed with car. Heavily prepped body with no seam broadcasting on top-quality repaint. Better quality bumper replate and replacement brightwork. Older replacement restored as a commodity to sell rather than a labor of love. Sensing the current readjustment in '67 big-blocks (or a return to reality, as I see it), the consigning dealer dropped the reserve at $70k for a market-correct price. C3 #F205-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194378S414314. Cortez Silver/blue vinyl. Odo: 43,404 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Factory options include ps, pb, a/c, tinted glass, tilt/telescopic column, deluxe wheel covers, pw, and luggage rack. Formerly owned by astronaut Jim Lovell. Decent body prep under average repaint on exterior surfaces only. Older bumper replate, remainder of brightwork original and presentable. Edelbrock intake manifold heavily oxidized. Original and dingy front, crack visible between door handle and rear edge of passenger's door. Aftermarket air cleaner tops off driver grade cleaned- up engine bay. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $35,000. Without the original motor, and with a Powerslide automatic bolted on the back of it to boot, this is about as unappealing as you can get for a stock looking '66 convertible—unless it was painted Mosport Green. The auctioneer claimed it would take over $40k to get it sold, but I think the actual value was somewhere between that and the final bid. TOP 10 #10 #F45-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S108947. Lynndale Blue & black/black vinyl/Bright Blue leather. Odo: 19,421 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with sidepipes, ps, pb, AM/FM radio, and alloy wheels. Originally painted Marina Blue, now wears Lynndale Blue. Clear coat now uniformly covers older masked-off black stripe, paint is a lighter shade between outer border and inner black stripe. Outer repaint masking lines also present in door jambs and door sills. Driver's door fit off, older rechromed bumpers and replacement trim look nice. Older engine bay and undercarriage detailing, older interior with light wear. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $84,800. The 435-hp '67s have taken the biggest hit in 48 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com interior starting to show some light but noticeable wear on seats and carpeting. Authentically detailed engine bay, clean undercarriage. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $84,800. This was the most potent engine combination you could order if you wanted a/c. With this setup, you got the “ooh, ahh” factor of Tri-Power induction with the comfort of a/c and the convenience of hydraulic lifters. Not a bad package for buyers in 2009—especially in the original color and trim combo. Went two bids past the $79k reserve for a current market correct price. #S89-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S104798. Red & white/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 50,960 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with sidepipes, AM/FM radio, headrests, and alloy wheels. Despite much body prep and sanding, some light body wave is visible in both sides under better-than-stock repaint. NCRS decal in driver's side vent window. Fresh, authentic engine bay and undercarriage cosmetics, slight wear and soiling just starting on the newer reproduction seats—that's the problem with white vinyl. Runs out well. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $75,260. One got the sense that this car was undercarriage, newer aluminized exhaust system. Seats, door panels, and dash pad appear to be older replacements. Cond: 4+. NOT SOLD AT $23,000. In Hollywood's typical “who cares about accuracy—make it look good” way of doing things, Lovell's car was portrayed as a red C3 in the movie “Apollo 13.” Now part of the Bob McDorman collection, he figured it wasn't worth parting company for anything under $30k. Being a $12k to $15k car without the celeb factor, the final bid seemed to be a more correct value—it's not rocket science. #S78-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194379S716682. Maroon/black vinyl. Odo: 56,239 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with sidepipes and AM/

Market Report Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN FM radio. Returned to its original configuration by the consignor within the last year, as it was acquired having a black paint job with ghost flames and aftermarket 4-bbl induction. Shaved and patched front wheelwell inner moldings, uncut rears. Lightly cleaned up undercarriage. Newer seats and carpeting. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $38,690. The consignor claimed to have the original tank sticker, but he “put it somewhere safe” in his office and can't find it. I expect it'll turn up now that he dropped his $40k reserve at the $36k point. A decent deal for both parties. #F229-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194379S710186. Fathom Green/ black vinyl. Odo: 12,179 miles. 427-ci 430-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. L88 engine. Documentation includes tank sticker, order form, and ProtectO-Plate. Rough but original paint with several chips, nicks, and scratches. Front wheelwells slightly shaved, left rear wheelwell has two-inch chunk of fiberglass broken off. Light scuffing and rust on top center of bumper, light paint scrape in the same location. Engine clean but NOT SOLD AT $65,000. It's hard for me to get real excited about an all-black convertible. Sure you can drop the top when you start to bake on those warm 40-degree spring days, but I've always thought convertibles should be in lighter, more festive colors. $75k was needed to get the job done on this cool, overcast day. #U5-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe . S/N 1Z37K2S515222. Elkhart Green/ black vinyl. Odo: 19,510 miles. 350-ci 200-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Equipped with a/c, AM/FM radio, heavy-duty battery, and leather interior. Presented with the original Protect-O-Plate, window sticker, purchase contract, warranty booklet, and initial Arkansas registration. Good body prep covered by smooth repaint, good original brightwork. Claimed to have the “high justification for the retail refurbishment types to resquirt cars to more “saleable combinations.” #S9-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Custom 4-dr sedan. S/N 1Z37J5S425907. White/black vinyl. Odo: 79,249 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Built from three cars—a 1974, a 1981, and a 1982—although the only thing that seems to have been used from the '74 was the VIN. Billed as being a limo, but with no front-torear compartment divider. Body repsprayed over original cracked and crazed paint, forward T-top undetailed. All original interior with slight patina. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $425,000. Received an NCRS Regional Top Flight in April, was part of the L88 Special Collection at last year's Bloomington Gold, and has been accepted for 2009 Benchmark judging. Sometimes it seems like we beat up on original cars on the subject of fit and finish, but that's the way they were built and they need to be preserved as such. While this could be a plausible selling price, the consigning dealer was not interested in moving off his $450k reserve. #S131-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194679S725265. Tuxedo Black/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 23,061 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Tank sticker claimed to verify provenance, but with no copies displayed. Fitted with sidepipes & AM/FM radio. Slightly shaved front wheelwell inner lips, untouched rears. Excellent repaint, door gaps a bit wide but are more consistent than stock. Rear suspension sits a bit high, but can be blamed on fresh rear springs. Clean, bone stock engine bay to include all smog gear. Newer seats and door panels, center console looks redyed and clear coated. Cond: 2. horse” 350, but announced on the block to be non-original. Clean and generally well detailed engine, good original interior with some wrinkling and soiling throughout. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $20,140. On Friday, this was hammered sold at $18,750, but it was re-run on Sunday morning to a slightly higher $19k hammer price. From all appearances, a dealer flipped the car over for a quick couple hundred dollar profit in two days. The original documentation offset the motor swap, but this was still top market pricing on Friday and a lucky sale on Sunday. #F13-1974 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1Z67J4S418221. Red/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 70,125 miles. 350-ci 195-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Complete color change from original Dark Green with neutral vinyl interior. Factory options include a/c, pb, ps, pw, and luggage rack. Newer repaint on good body prep, slightly shaved front wheelwell lips. Typical C3 door gaps with clunky fit, newer windshield with some glue slop on inside A-pillars and reused original windshield trim. Cleaned-up nonstock engine compartment. Newer replacement seats and carpet, redyed dash, console and door panels. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $17,490. This went past its $16k reserve without too much difficulty. If this was a minty original, I could probably see this as market pricing, but for a color-changed used car lot special, this was a lot to spend. Sold exceptionally well, and unfortunately gives more panels look pretty good. It's easy to see where the bodies were spliced together, as it's cracking there. Mostly reused interior components from the 1981 and 1982, with spliced carpeting. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $26,500. Billed as “not another like it,” and thank god for that. It was sold over the phone, and I'm not surprised—they must have been too embarrassed to bid in person. For those who are not masters of the obvious, this was sold exceptionally well. #F58-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Indy Pace Car Edition coupe. S/N 1Z87L8S902488. Black and silver/silver leather. Odo: 46,433 miles. 350-ci 185-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original Pace Car package smoked glass T-top panels replaced with standard C3 painted panels. The only non-Pace Car package option is cruise control. Repaint with orange peel in several places. Newer replacement seats, carpeting, and door panels all show minimal wear. L48 engine now wears L82 cast aluminum valve covers and a chromed Mr. Gasket valve cover breather. Engine shows some rattle can restoration in black, but original blue engine paint can be seen in spots. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $19,750. Last seen at the Corvettes at Carlisle auction in August '08, then a no-sale at $13k (CM# 117910). Despite that, was declared on the block to take closer to $21k to get it sold. Cleaned up slightly better than when last seen, this was not a minty authentic example, and it should've rightfully changed hands at this kind of money. C4 #W53-1986 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1G1YY6781G5906626. 50 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

Market Report Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN White/white vinyl/silver leather. Odo: 71,914 miles. 350-ci 235-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Consigned by the original owner. Factory options include dual power leather sport seats, cruise control, and Delco-Bose audio system. Generally well kept original paint with only a few light chips to nose and two cracks near right rear corner of hood. Lighter wear on the original interior than mileage would suggest. Engine compartment cleaned up but not detailed. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $8,000. While the lower miles and one-owner factor made this a C4 to buy, the few issues that should be attended to brought it back to average. The reserve was taken off when it hit this bid, selling toward the lower end of market pricing. A fair exchange for both parties. #F207-1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Challenge Series racer. S/N 1G1YY2185J5113483.White & red/black cloth. Odo: 8,843 miles. 350-ci 245-hp fuel-injected V8, 4+3 manual. Protofab build number 157012, roll cage number 88-164. Campaigned as number 76 in the 1988 series, sponsored by MPS Motorsports and Mobil 1 and driven by Peter Cunningham. Cosmetically restored back to as-delivered condition. No worse than stock repaint, gouge in driver's side forward corner of and maintained since new, with the original paint, top, tires, and interior. Four very light nicks on nose appear to have been touched up. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $23,850. Most folks would say these wheels are post-1988; however, they were part of the Z52 suspension package this car was equipped with. Last seen at the Potts Auction Company's sale in Dalton, GA, in March '05, then selling for $18,900 (CM# 37868). We've seen some upward pricing on exceptionally nice C4s—and I'll definitely lump this car into the genre. If you want one of the nicest original 1988 C4 convertibles anywhere, this would be well bought. Otherwise, slightly rich for most tastes. #S220-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1YZ23J9L5802829. Red/red leather. Odo: 5,074 miles. 350-ci 375hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Ordered new by Chevrolet's Central Office in Warren, MI, with two factory options: electronic climate control and dual roof panels. Part of two museum collections for most of its existence, mileage stated as correct. Almost completely original aside from fluids and a replacement AC-Delco battery fitted with a disconnect switch. No blemishes or Washed-off undercarriage. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $17,490. Last seen in January '08 at Mecum's Kissimmee auction, selling out there for $10,000 (CM# 49069). When this ran on Wednesday as lot W95, it was a no-sale at $15,000, which should have been more than enough to move it to a new home. The announced final selling price was plenty for all factors involved, so this can be considered exceptionally well sold. #U90-1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Collector Edition coupe. S/N 1G1YY22PXT5111902. Silver/tinted panel/ black leather. Odo: 43,455 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Aftermarket additions include window tint, blacked-out taillights, mud flaps, illuminated front license plate frame, rear spoiler, alarm system, and chrome C5 Z06-style wheels with ZR-rated performance tires. Good nick-free original paint, spoiler paint matched well to body. Generally cleaned-up engine bay, hood graphics. Passenger's seat torn on inboard seat bottom bolster. Flowmaster exhaust system banged up and getting rusty. Runs out well, like a C4 on steroids. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $42,400. One of the 56 cars configured for the inaugural year of the series, with its best finish in 1988 being 3rd place at Road America. As part of the McDorman collection, they cut it loose at the end of the bidding. Since they had it as a static museum piece until now, hopefully the new owner will get some track time on it again—even if it is just in touring or exhibition events. #F269-1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1G1YY3188J5103410. Medium Blue Metallic/white vinyl/blue leather. Odo: 8,885 miles. 350-ci 245-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Options include electronic climate control, twin heated sport mirrors, performance rear axle, and sport handling package. Mileage claimed correct. Exceptionally well preserved 52 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com nicks found in original paint, interior looks and smells new. Show-ready engine bay. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $27,500. The 1990–'96 ZR-1s ‘only problem is that minty virgins like this one are not at all rare. You can easily comparisonshop for cars that have even less miles and are still on the MSO. However, unless you have a set of car dollies to move it around in your garage, I'd rather go with this example, as it did get some exercise once in a while. On the lower end of the price spectrum for a nice ZR-1, but if the consignor doesn't need to sell it, he's best to hang on to it for a while. #U8-1991 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1YY2383M5104184. Red/tan leather. Odo: 55,738 miles. 350-ci 250-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Factory optional dual power leather sport seats and electronic climate control. Mostly original well-cared-for paint apart from some respray work to nose. Lower budget replacement performance tires and exhaust, interior wear commensurate to indicated miles. Dealer-quality engine bay clean-up and detailing, fresh AC-Delco replacement battery. but not detailed. Slightly more seat wear than expected for the mileage indicated, but commensurate carpet and steering wheel wear. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $13,750. 2009 is turning out to be the year of the 1996 Collector Edition for me, as it seems like I've found at least one at each sale I've been to thus far. This one was the furthest from the mark for originality, which hurts future appreciation of any limited edition package. If the seller was looking to recoup the cost of the mods, he'd better either expect less for the car or start putting the add-ons on eBay. C5 #F195-1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1G1YY32G6W5100003. Silver/black cloth/gray leather. Odo: 315 miles. 5.7-liter 345-hp fuel-injected LS1 V8, auto. Factory options include Active Handling, power sport seats, and magnesium wheels. Ordered new and retained by Bob McDorman Chevrolet since. Retains all original components, to include several pieces in the engine compartment marked as Pilot Material and Emissions Control Exemption. Driver's seat has significantly more soiling than expected, door panel speaker

C6 TOP 10 #10 #F197-2007 CHE VROLET CORVETTE Z06 Ron Fellows Edition coupe. S/N 1G1YY26E975131847. White screens starting to rust. Mark and nick-free original paint in excellent condition, top appears to have never been dropped. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $40,810. As there wasn't a 1997 convertible, this was the first production example, but with the pilot parts on it, it seems like they were still sorting a few things out. This makes an interesting comparison to the the first 1998 C5 that was sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January '09 for $110,000 and the first 1999 C5 coupe that sold for $110,000 at the B-J Palm Beach sale in April '09. Bob was a prudent businessman to cut it loose at this price, but it'll be an instant Bloomington Gold Benchmark car in a decade if it continues to sit. TOP 10 #10 #F243-1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Lingenfelter 427 Twin Turbo coupe. S/N 1G1YY22G6X5109943. Red/gray leather. Odo: 61,155 miles. 427-ci twin-turbocharged 905-hp V8, 6-sp. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering & red/Platinum leather. Odo: 4 miles. 7.0-liter 505-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Brand new car on the MSO, ordered and shipped new to Bob McDorman Chevrolet. Fitted with the only two available options—navigation and OnStar—for 427-ci twin turbo upgrade, with 1,800 miles on the powertrain. Other bits of the package include RPS carbon fiber triple-disc clutch, Baer brakes with slotted rotors, five-point roll bar, and HRE wheels. Tested by Motor Trend magazine in their March 2000 issue to 206 mph. Well preserved paint, neat-as-a-pin engine bay. Far less wear than expected on a car with 61k miles on the clock. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $84,800. As this was the car immediately after the Shelby Cobra Daytona, few in the crowd thought the tweaked C5 was going to do much. However, this Lingenfelter was more than some pimped up boy-racer, so several serious parties were interested and bidding. In the world of tuner cars, it is generally a case of “buyer beware,” but this was a case of throwing the price guide out the window. See the profile, page 36. a $79,945 sticker price. Has not been dealer prepped, with all original stickers and plastic in place. No discernible wear or damage anywhere. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $84,800. Unlike the 2008 427 editions, which seem to still pop up occasionally, the Ron Fellows edition is a bit tougher to locate. This may be the only case of a Chevy dealer making out better on a two-year-old stock 2007 model than its MSRP—no wonder it was cut loose. ■ NEW! “Needs TLC”, “Average Driver” and “Very Good” prices for all models, 1900–88. FREE! NOW ONLINE! The world's largest collector car price guide based on over 500,000 sold transactions from www.collectorcarpricetracker.com For the collector who needs to know what things are selling for, right now. Take your free test drive today. www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 53 . Updated weekly.

Market Report Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach, FL Palm Beach Collector Car Auction This year's buyers were more cautious, reserved, and undoubtedly trolling for bargains, but blue-chip collectibles with good documentation still did well Company Barrett-Jackson Date April 9–11, 2009 Location Palm Beach, Florida Auctioneers Tom “Spanky” Assiter & associates Overall cars sold / offered 487/487 Total sales rate 100% Sales total $20,034,837 Corvettes sold / offered 38/38 Corvette sales total $2,094,675 Corvette high sale 1959 Corvette LS3 Custom convertible, sold at $148,500 Shiny from every perspective Report and photos by Dale Novak Market opinions in italics I n line with recent Barrett-Jackson events, most sales at the 7th annual Palm Beach Auction occurred under the $200,000 mark, but some very good numbers on some very nice cars were still achieved, and the addition of cars from the GM Heritage Fleet was a major draw for buyers from all over the country. And it was the GM Heritage cars that became the talk of the auction, as the distress created by one disgruntled individual who had managed to complain—rather effectively, I might add—to GM and Washington officials about the inability to obtain titles on some of the cars (which were clearly labeled with salvage and scrap titles, by the way) eventually brought their sale at this auction to an abrupt halt. Kudos to BarrettJackson for managing to dispatch the issue quickly and reinstate all of the GM cars in the auction, but the by-product of this shuffling of lot numbers was that the auction ran very late on Friday, and those bidders who stayed late were rewarded with some extraordinary deals on the GM Heritage offerings. Buyers this year were noticeably more cau- Corvette Sales Total tious, reserved, and without question trolling for bargains. Cars taking hits appeared to be “built” show cars—be it a resto-mod, street rod, or fakey-doo anything. But even so, this year's Corvette high sale was one of those cars—a 1959 convertible retrofitted with a 500-hp LS3 V8 which made $148,500. Blue-chip collectible 'Vettes that were in fine original condition and had good documen- 54 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com $1m $2m $3m $4m $5m $6m $7m $8m 0 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 tation did well in most regards, such as a 1962 327/360 fuelie that made $143,000 and a 1969 427/435 convertible that brought $66,000. However, documentation was again the key in bringing big money, as was the case with a could-be-original 1966 tanker that brought just $75,900; it lacked paperwork to prove the originality of the option. Statistically, 2009 sales totaled $20,034,837 for 487 lots, as compared to total sales of $23,162,095 in 2008 for 493 lots—a 13% decrease. The number of Corvettes available also dropped, with 59 offered last year against this year's 38, and final Corvette totals fell from $4.2m in 2008 to $2m this year. Attendance appeared to be brisk and the Barrett-Jackson staff kept the cars moving smoothly. The short story here is that buyers in general seem to be narrowing their focus and seeking out the very best. Cars with issues are still finding buyers, but with much more scrutiny and caution. Considering the state of the economy, the market is holding up remarkably well—and better than many other investments. As a side note, I wish to thank Craig Gussert for helping with the 75-plus cars we covered. He has the ability to make initial, accurate assessments of body and paint from 30 feet away, while walking at a brisk clip. His comments are included with mine. ■ Buyer's premium 10%, included in sold prices

Market Report C1 TOP 10 #7 #664-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N E54S003925. Black/beige canvas/red vinyl. Odo: 7,873 miles. 235- ci 155-hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Both door gaps slightly wide at fenders. Beautifully polished trim, driver's side front bumper very tight to body, rear bumper fit tight as well. Restored gauges look very nice and are in show condition. Original radio looks weathered, but balance of interior is excellent. Show quality paint Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach, FL #681.1-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 00867S102546. Red & white/ white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 17,542 miles. 283ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated to be numbers-matching with actual miles. Older respray done well but now showing its age. Both doors out at bottom, trunk lid extends lip by a half inch. Decent chrome shows scratches, window trim good but lightly scratched, windshield rubber dry and cracked. Fitted with hard top. Very TOP 10 #4 #674.1-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 20867S110147. Burgundy/ black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 73,789 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-bbl, 4sp. Nut-and-bolt restoration still showing well, numbers claimed to match. Excellent paint job, some seams showing on body. Driver's door out at bottom, other panel gaps consistent. Hard top with plexiglass rear windows badly cracking. Some pitting noted on wiper mounts, and engine bay. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $110,000. Last seen at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas sale in October '08, where it sold at $91,300 (CM# 118310). Here, that number remained largely unchanged when you factor in the commission, fees, and transporting costs. That said, the seller still managed to make a profit with his gamble to buy and sell from venue to venue. A market-correct result. TOP 10 #3 #652.1-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Custom convertible. S/N A59F230613. Red & white/ivory leather. 6.2-liter 500-hp fuel-injected LS3 V8, auto. Paintwork could use some additional wet-sanding to eliminate minor orange peel. Driver's door chrome fit off, trunk lid slightly out at rear, passenger's door out a tad. Exceptional chrome in fine condition, very nicely polished and somewhat “space-age” looking engine bay. Custom interior with nice gauge layout. Much nicer than new in nice interior, but some paintwork is marginal. Possible past damage to right front fender. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $84,700. This was a wellpreserved Corvette with the desirable twincarb 270-horse motor. The big story here was that the miles were declared to be actual, but there was nothing to support that claim. That said, without documentation present and with the finicky market, I believe that an air-tight history would have brought a six-figure result. Market correct based on the presentation. TOP 10 #8 #637.1-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 00867S105826. Ermine White & sil- ver/black vinyl. 283-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. No mention of matching numbers or documentation. Driver-grade paint with spider webbing noted. Driver's door wide at fender, fuel door fit tight, trunk fit looks good. Engine bay dolled up with plenty of rattle-can black throughout. chrome very nice but just a notch below show standards. Dashpad slightly wrinkled. Regional Top Flight award. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $143,000. Fully restored after having had only two owners from new. Very nice overall with only some very picky issues to ponder, but nothing that will keep you awake at night. Reported to be fully documented and sorted out mechanically, it was super nice and a true show-worthy example. Quality, judging sheets, matching numbers, and full documentation yield an excellent result. Well sold. C2 #355.2-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 40867S116523. Saddle Tan/ tan vinyl. Odo: 52,617 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Small crack noted in headlamp bucket, some microblistering in paint, small cracks in body at rear valance. Panel fit good overall, driver's door fit tight, convertible top cover tight to passenger's side. Vent window most regards. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $148,500. Another case of styling and quality prevailing and a buyer stepping up to pay the price when the offering is of an impeccable nature, even if it's a resto-mod. Last seen at ICA's Gilbert sale in January '09, where it was a no-sale at $115,000. Straight-axle Corvettes did well here in general, and this was a real show-stopper. No harm done, and both buyer and seller should be happy... especially the seller. 56 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Hard top brightwork heavily scratched, most other brightwork and chrome are of driver quality. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $99,000. This Corvette was fitted with the desirable 2x4-bbl setup and was noted to be fitted with a correct 283 engine. The paintwork was obviously older and was now showing age, but the car still presented well and looked great. A nice Corvette for your local shows and meets, and obviously two guys just had to have it. Extremely well sold. trim pitted, interior looks nice but is not to show standards. Non-original motor fitted. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $43,450. This Corvette looked great from about ten feet or so, and only upon closer inspection did you begin to notice the flaws. It had been upgraded with disc brakes, which were not available in 1964, and the 350-hp engine was a later unit as well. Spot-on, market-correct money.

#348.2-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 40867S103295. Red/red vinyl. Odo: 30,133 miles. 350-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Passenger's fender noted to have been repaired, with repairs rather obvious. Body gaps consistent throughout but slightly wide in all regards. Vent window trim pitted, window trim scratched, front bumpers very nice. Fitted with hard top. Interior fairly fresh looking. Engine bay of a driver, but not beat to death. Non- original motor. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $46,200. The car card stated this to be an ex-fuelie and noted all the reasons that was so, such as the correct oil pressure gauge, high-RPM tachometer, heavy duty sway bars, and the mounting holes in the inner fender to support the fuel injection air cleaner assembly. In this market, the presumption of something being so without further proof simply won't cut it. In my book, the buyer paid fuel-injected money for a driver-grade N.O.M. Corvette. #344-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194675S114156. Blue/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 67,443 miles. 396-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Non-original engine. Front window trim lightly scratched, paint appears to have some heat damage at hood as well as masking issues in other areas. Typical Corvette body with some possible past repairs noted, passenger's door fit tight. Nice engine bay, chrome and trim very good but not show quality, rear bumper slightly wavy. Interior appears well sorted. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $57,200. This was a nice driver-level Corvette sporting a great color combination, provided you liked blue. The market has grown very weary of N.O.M. big-block Corvettes as of late, as so many have been transformed from their small-block beginnings. Not so with this example, as the Protect-O-Plate identified the car as an original big-block build. A fair deal for both buyer and seller. www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 57

Market Report Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach, FL #646-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194376S105394. Silver/black vinyl. Odo: 379 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4bbl, 4-sp. Numbers match. Paint somewhat dull and showing some unusual blemishes caused by some sort of unknown liquid. Excellent body gaps, trim nice but shows light dents. Replated bumpers very nice, other trim excellent and just a notch under show. Fitted with factory a/c. Engine bay done to high standards, Still, no harm done at this price, and both parties should be happy. #656-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194376S111735. Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 48,621 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Numbers claimed to match. Paint looks rushed, with visible prep issues, terrible masking along A-pillars could indicate a hurried repair. Gaps decent overall, but hood sits low. Driver quality chrome and trim, passenger's bumper skewed to body, replacement glass noted. Nice interior looks good and shows little use. Fitted with Goldline tires, it had apparently been done a very long time ago. Looked great from 20 feet or so. Well sold, considering the immediate needs. #398-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S116957. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 93,842 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Numbers claimed to match. Paint good overall but nowhere near show quality, passenger's door a tad wide at fender, cracks noted in headlamp bucket edges. Front bumper scuffed and slightly scratched, trim in driver condition, vent window trim pitted. Nice interior with some pitting on interior chrome interior excellent. Top Flight award at a Dallas regional meet in 2008. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $79,200. Reported to have had a full restoration completed in 2004. Last seen at RM's Fort Lauderdale sale in February '08, where it was rated as a 1- and sold at $104,500 (CM# 60489). Here, due to the paint issues, which I'm guessing happened after its last appearance, I saw this as a 3+ car with 2+ potential if the paint can be fixed. Market correct based on the presentation. #686-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194676S125625. Maroon/ black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 34,509 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Driver's door fit skewed, passenger's door tight to rear quarter, headlamp buckets good. Windshield trim scratched a-plenty, quarter window trim pitted, reproduction knockoffs and sidepipes fitted. Nice interior no longer super crisp. Well done engine bay, but not to show standards. Possible knockoffs, teak wheel, and sidepipes. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $75,900. Last seen at RM's Fort Lauderdale sale in February '09, where it sold for $52,250 (CM# 119558). The car card here noted that this could be a tanker, but it also clearly noted that no documentation came with the car to support that claim. Only 66 Corvettes came out of the factory equipped with the large 36-gallon tank, and if the new owner can track down the correct documentation, he'll do very well. If not, this was big money for a smallblock, non-air coupe. #638-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194377S113695. Black/black vinyl. Odo: 79,884 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Plenty of bodywork evident, with some spider cracking and orange peel noted throughout. Door gaps acceptable, headlamp bucket on passenger's side pinched. Driverlevel trim and brightwork are dimpled here and there. Seat material on both sides well worn and items. Good engine bay, but rattle-can matte black evident. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $57,200. Last seen by yours truly at Mecum's Kissimmee sale in January '09, where it was a no-sale at $57,000 (CM# 119397). Here it sold at $57,200, which includes commission, so the buyer would have done better to take the previous offer. I see guys move cars from venue to venue all the time, and when you add up the cost and fees, it really makes no sense unless you're way off the money. The consignor took a gamble in this no-reserve auction and ended up with about a $5,000 hit. C3 #28-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194378S420083. Burgundy/black vinyl. Odo: 54,156 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4bbl, 4-sp. Claimed to have matching numbers. Touch-ups noted to paint, with some masking issues and nose rivets showing through a bit. damage to passenger fender and nose area. Fitted with big-block hood. Numbers claimed to match. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $62,700. Fitted with the desirable L79 powerplant, this was a very nice presentation, and only the apparent bodywork detracted from an otherwise #2 car. The fellow seated next to me in the bidder's area had planned to purchase this car, but he changed his mind when he noted the bodywork. 58 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com loose, door panels puckered. Freshly “dolledup” engine bay. A well-used driver Corvette. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $55,000. The numbers matched and the a/c was reported to still work, so at least you have that going for you with this tired and used coupe. Without it, this Corvette may have found $10,000 less. Claimed to be a frame-off restoration which may be so, but Driver's door tight at rear quarter, passenger's door tight as well. Hood fit slightly off. Chrome and trim nice, both front and rear bumpers show well. Decent interior but not a show car. Fited with a/c, pw, ps, and pb. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $27,500. The miles were noted to be actual, and one would most likely agree with that

assessment based on the presentation. There wasn't a whole lot to pick on other than minor issues, so although this wasn't a show car, it would make a great weekend driver and was ready for the local burger joint. No harm done, and everyone should be happy. #645-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194679S709381. Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 62,627 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Driver's door out, passenger's door and headlamp doors fit well. Correct and very well done engine bay showing only very minor and super picky issues. Fitted with smog pump. Nice interior is not to show standards. Window trim very good but somewhat dull. own, although the engine modifications might give the bidders a cautionary pause. Most of the interior was new and presented well, and finding another one with a 4-speed, a/c, and leather might be hard to do. Both buyer and seller should be happy with this one. #51-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194371S104207. War Bonnet Yellow/saddle leather. Odo: 41,050 miles. 350ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint shows some subsurface dirt, areas of dry spray noted. Does not appear to have been wet sanded or buffed after exiting the spray booth. Driver's door wide at fender, passenger's door way wide at fender and at rear quarter, which may indicate past damage. Hood fit off. Micropitting on one to raise your bidder paddle on. It didn't appear to have been abused, and there was nothing to make you think it was a past Fright Pig brought back from the dead. The NCRS Second Flight award helped to verify the obvious high quality and presentation, and a 4-speed would have been icing on the cake. Absolutely market correct, and both buyer and seller should go home happy. #675-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Indy 500 Pace Car coupe. S/N N/A. Black & silver/silver leather. Odo: 2,157 miles. 350-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Every part of the car is worn, chipped, scratched, cracked, faded, torn, or ripped. Needs everything, but it is a complete and fully functioning L82 model. A Very good paint showing some age, but nothing to fret over. Numbers match, tank sticker verifies options and original build. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $66,000. This was a very honest and well-sorted L71 convertible, and the owner was present to discuss any issues with prospective bidders. If you were in the market for a very nice but not quite show-quality big-block convertible, this was the one to buy. Slightly well sold in this market, but not by much. #386-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194379S708214. Red/red leather. Odo: 20,614 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed matching numbers. Masking issues visible in paint, possible bodywork at rear quarter panel. Fitted with factory a/c and rear luggage rack. Driver's door skewed, passenger's door pinched at rear quarter, headlamp bucket fit decent. Rear bumpers scratched, front bumper micropitted. New seats, center console, door panels, and carpet. Mild modifications to engine and engine bay. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $42,350. For a big-block coupe, this would be a decent Corvette to front and rear bumpers, other trim in driver condition. Interior not abused but shows use and enjoyment. Fitted with a/c and leather, claimed to have matching numbers. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $20,350. War Bonnet Yellow is one of those love-it-or-hate-it colors, and I've had plenty of conversations with guys stating the same thing. The interior was complete but showed use commensurate with the miles noted, and those miles were said to be original, so this presentation was about as expected. Not abused, but a wide passenger's door gap would require further investigation for possible damage. A fair deal for both buyer and seller. #348.1-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194671S109765. Red/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 29,200 miles. 350-ci 270hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Claimed to have matching numbers. Very nice paint with excellent prep and application. Passenger's side faux engine vent poorly fitted to body and sticks out, hood fit off a tad, good convertible top fit. Chrome very nice and showing only minor scuffs and scratches. NCRS Second Flight awarded in 2007. Optioned with tilt wheel and a/c. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $35,200. If you were in the market for a very nice and drivable C3, this was GM Heritage Fleet vehicle. Cond: 5-. SOLD AT $29,700. One of the official Pace Cars from the 1978 Indy race, and was used as the VIP parade lap vehicle. One of only four built. Truly a piece of Indianapolis 500 history as well as GM history, so one might be able to look past the eye-sore condition it was in here. One has to wonder why it was so abused and neglected in the first place. Still, a decent deal for the history. C4 #57.1-1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Twin-Turbo Prototype coupe. S/N EX5273. Blue/blue cloth. 350-ci twin-turbocharged V8, auto. A GM Heritage car. Very good gaps, but nose fit could be better. Masking issues noted with paintwork, black-out trim and body seam rubber gasket still good. Well-worn interior with plenty of issues noted. Paint color varies from one panel to the next. Cond: 5+. SOLD AT $42,900. Certainly interesting for the Corvette collector, as you'd be the only guy to have one. That said, this might be hard to live with based on the condition, but I don't think www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 59

Market Report Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach, FL anyone is buying it for how it looks. Most likely you'll only be allowed to drive this on a track, and by the condition of the interior, GM techs had a field day with it. Part of GM's history, and better yet, part of Corvette history. It's hard to put a number on something like this, but I think we can agree this was a current market-correct price. #24-1994 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1YY22P6R5117950. Admiral Blue/black leather. Odo: 17,333 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Factory paint nearly in showroom condition, with only minor chips and polishing marks noted. Gaps per factory, black trim nearly as-new, wheels have some marking on them from a poor parking job. Seats show wear but are certainly not cars and not something you'll find on one of the many Corvettes For Sale web sites. Sold late on Friday, and the bidder was rewarded for hanging around. Once the market settles down, this will be very hard to replicate at this price. Well bought. TOP 10 #9 #654-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Classic Reflections Custom convertible. S/N 1G1YY32G845116104. Teal & white/tan leather. 5.7-liter 350-hp fuel-injected LS1 V8, auto. 1962-style front and rear end pieces, body gaps very nice. Small chips and some light swirl and polishing marks noted in finish. Possible rear end damage to body, as there's a very visible change in the paint color from top to bottom. reporters try to capture a first glimpse of the new body. Condition-wise, a real beater, but certainly would make for an interesting conversation piece for a static display in a dealer's showroom. I believe this Corvette only has an upside at the money paid, so I'll call it well bought at this price. #679.2-2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 coupe. S/N 650016EX. Blue/black cloth. 7.0-liter 505-hp fuel-injected LS7 V8, 6-sp. Plenty of scratches to paint, some of which look rather severe. Panel fit good in all regards, but certainly not perfect. Full racing harness seats made by Sparco. LS7 powerplant looks well used but is reported to be a new install in January of 2008. A “road warrior,” and the abused. Fully documented, one of 1,584 built in Admiral Blue. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $17,600. This was a very nice 1994 Corvette without much to complain about. The factory 6-speed tranny isn't too shabby either. The miles were actual and the car had been obviously well kept. Almost like buying a new 1994 example. Sold at used car lot money, so no harm done, as it is probably worth slightly more. C5 #421-2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Le Mans Safety Car #6 coupe. S/N 1G1YY22G635108950. Maroon/gray leather. 5.7-liter 350-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Driver's door in at bottom, other gaps per factory. Matte black trim very nice to excellent all around. Vinyl graphics in very good condition and nearly as new. A 50th Anniversary edition Corvette. Overall, excellent and nearly as-new in most all regards. Fitted with a 5-point harness and roof mounted strobe lights. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $28,600. This is one of the official safety vehicles from the 2003 24 hours of Le Mans race, not a replica. It was nearly as-new and presented as such. One of the GM Heritage Chrome hood spears excellent. Driver's seat shows use and enjoyment. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $90,200. A modern day Corvette with the styling of a vintage C1. Full carbon-fiber body fitted to a modern C5 chassis, which means you get a/c, air bags, and all power accessories. Not too long ago, these would bring $150,000+ for very well-done examples. In general, resto-mods did not fare all that well at this sale, and this was more evidence of the softening of this type of car in today's market. The market has spoken. C6 Best Buy #57-2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 Test Mule coupe. S/N 1G1YY24UX5X7120EX. White/black leather. 5.7-liter 350-hp fuel-injected LS1 V8, auto. Heavily scratched paint and body, tape is applied to attach “camouflage” to protect the identity of the body from spy photos. Body gaps vary widely as expected. Electronic door entrance system, no door handles present. Decent interior, but very well weathered on driver's side. A GM Heritage offering. Cond: 5-. SOLD AT $24,200. A prototype “Mule Car” for the C6 platform, and surely quite rare. These are the cars you see in those blurry spy photos as first built Z06 for 2006. A GM Heritage offering. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $50,600. Built on February 4, 2005, this was the first 2006 Z06, and it was the car GM engineers and test pilots used for press photos and proving ground events, including a 200-mph Autobahn run by driver Tony Rifici in June of 2005. A genuine part of GM and Corvette history, and I find this to be quite a bargain, given the fully documented history. Well bought. #47-2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 coupe. S/N 1G1YY26E375103512. Red/ black leather. Odo: 207 miles. 7.0-liter 505-hp fuel-injected LS7 V8, 6-sp. Excellent gaps all around, as per a new car. Interior like new and showing no wear. With only 206 miles, a barely broken-in 2007 Z06. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $55,000. The car card stated that this pristine Corvette had never even been titled other than by the originating dealer, so the buyer will become the first owner by all accounts. The factory warranty is still in place, so how can you go wrong? Used Z06s can sell for more than this, and I would be hard-pressed to call this a used car. Well bought. ■ 60 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

Market Report C Global Roundup Corvettes across the block 80 More Corvettes, $1.8m Sold orvette Market's Auction Analysts closely followed the market over the last few months, covering Corvettes as they sold at auction in locations spanning the country. Frankly, you can look at all the printed price guides on the planet, and not one of them comes close to having a trained eye look at a specific Corvette, in person, and report on what it was bid to, and whether or not it sold. That is the real market. As with every issue of Corvette Market, the 80 cars described in detail here, along with the values placed on these cars by bidders, make up the heart of this issue. We hope you find this of assistance in your thoughtful collecting. Auctions covered this issue: RM Auctions, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2/6/09—Russell Glace and Thomas Casey McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/20/09—Carl Bomstead Silver Auctions, Portland, OR, 2/28/09—Paul Duchene RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 3/14/09—Donald Osborne Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/20/09—B. Mitchell Carlson Worldwide Auctioneers, Escondido, CA, 4/3/09—Carl Bomstead RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/3/09—Norm Mort Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/17/09—Chuck Leighton Carlisle Auctions, Carlisle, PA, 4/23/09—Chip Lamb Worldwide Auctioneers, Seabrook, TX, 5/2/09—Carl Bomstead Market opinions in italics sold another for $440,000 at its November '07 Hilton Head auction (CM# 47636), but recent auctions have seen these bid to just slightly higher numbers than offered here. Worldwide Group, Seabrook, TX, 5/09. #NR47-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N E54S001105. Polo White/tan vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 7,147 miles. 235-ci 155hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. New very beige soft top over decent white exterior. Doors and trunk show typical fit issues, interior door mechanisms missing, numerous exterior paint touch-ups are needed. Engine bay tidy. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $57,200. White '54 Vettes have become ubiquitous at recent auctions, and this one was offered at no reserve. While other '54s have sold recently at slightly higher prices, this one was well sold, as it needed some work to move up a notch or two. RM Auctions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2/09. #F221-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C1 #278-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N E53F001210. Polo White/black canvas/red vinyl. Odo: 3,075 miles. 235-ci 150-hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Variable panel fit, as per factory. Paint shiny with some waviness in body panels showing underneath. Good chrome with fading on headlight screens and light pitting on front bumperettes and be correct, and the car did have a nice, even, mellow look to it. Still, the price paid seemed to be in line with a general softening of early Corvette values. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 3/09. #64-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N E53F001153. Polo White/black fabric/red vinyl. Odo: 46,132 miles. 235-ci 150-hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. One of 300 first year Corvettes produced, extensive restoration completed in November '08. Bodywork and panel fit exceed factory specs, excellent paint with no flaws noted. Engine spotless with much attention to detail. Carburetor tags all aligned. A very strong presentation. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $250,000. These are well off their high of a few years back. Worldwide roadster. S/N E54S001946. Polo White/black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 3,161 miles. 235-ci 155hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Original West Coast car with older, high-quality white paint exhibiting light cracks and chips. Nice chrome, dull and dinged brightwork likely original. Dash top and steering column recently painted a very bright red against faded older interior bits. windshield surround. Good interior shows some wear at choke control on dash. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $198,000. This car's mileage reading of slightly over 3,000 was believed to Seat stitching coming apart, carpet going in the same direction. Driver-quality engine compartment slightly tidier than when the car was last here. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $54,000. Last seen here in October '08, where it failed to sell at $50,000 (CM# 118087). This time, another $4,000 was offered for this needy example with a non-original engine. While a looker from ten feet away, getting up close still resulted in more disappointment than appreciation, so more money may be tough to come by. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. 62 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

TOP 10 #5 #14-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N E54S002655. Black/beige fabric/red vinyl. Odo: 61,997 miles. 235-ci 155-hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Recent frame-off restoration, paint exceeds factory spec by factor of two, door fit off at bottom and driver's door does not close properly. New interior properly installed. Stated to be one of four 1954s finished in black. #447-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Custom convertible. S/N E57S101602. Bronze/orange vinyl. Odo: 4,633 miles. 468ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Painted bronze with red, orange, and blue flames. Cracks along tops of doors, other numerous minor issues noted. Decent chrome and trim, pitted door handles and tail lamp bezels. Orange seats, worn orange carpets. Lots of glitter and presumably paint rub-off on side of seat. Bloomington Gold recipient in 2008. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $129,800. Last seen at Corvettes at Carlisle in August '08, where it failed to sell at $85,000 (CM# 118012). A highly rated Corvette in good colors, but the work seemed a bit casual in the details. Very well sold. See the profile, p. 28. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 3/09. Not judged by NCRS or Bloomington. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $138,600. Last seen at RM's Fort Lauderdale sale in February '07, where it sold at $85,320 in 3+ condition (CM# 44289). The seventh of the four black '54 Corvettes I've seen over the past year or so. All claim to be original, or at least that's the way the sellers bought them. This seems like a ton of money for an over-restored '54 that would be buried by Bloomington judges.Worldwide Seabrook, TX, 5/09. #T38-1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N E56S004000. Sportsman Red & white/tan vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 67,655 miles. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Non-original motor. Older repaint very wavy throughout, with light sags and dirt in coves. Fair amount of filler in rear quarters, interior may be original or part of a long-ago light restoration effort. Carpet appears correct if older, bumpers and brightwork appear original and rather pitted. Engine bay clean but not original, high-rise Group, plenty of power from the big-block under the hood. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $24,503. And now for something completely different. Brought in from Nova Scotia, this evoked groans from the purists. Definitely not to all tastes, this wild looking 'Vette sold for less than it cost to build. Well bought if it fulfills the buyer's dream. RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/09. #31-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COPO racer. S/N E57S104387. Onyx Black/ red vinyl. Odo: 38,428 miles. 283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. One of 43 Corvettes equipped with RPO 579E Rochester fuel injection. Extensive racing history with 24 victories #F210-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N J59S109335. Silver/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 59,269 miles. 283-ci 230-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Claimed unrestored car shows panel work and retouching in places. Original paint flaking off hard top and is chipped and scratched elsewhere. Chrome and brightwork surprisingly nearly free of pitting but exhibit plenty of scratches and light dings. Seats redone in cheap vinyl a long time ago, dashboard and carpet appear original. Engine bay tarted up at one point, including repaint to manifolds and engine. Cond: 4+. NOT SOLD Edelbrock intake manifold and aftermarket carburetor fitted. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $54,600. Last seen here in October '08, where it failed to sell at $40,000 (CM# 118076). With just four more miles on this one since last fall's appearance, not much changed here except that the title delay was gone and the car sold for a reasonable amount of money despite its many needs. Not sure where one goes with this except as a driver, and with a 3-speed, that represents an additional challenge. Slightly well sold. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. and 55 top-three finishes. Quality restoration to 1963–64 racing configuration, but fitted with non-original engine and transmission case. Numerous recent awards. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $450,000. Extensive history and a quality restoration should equal big bucks, but bidding fell short here. It should be worth more considering all it had going for it, but the market did not think so on this day in Houston. Worldwide Group, Seabrook, TX, 5/09. #292-1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N J58S101733. Yellow & white/black vinyl/charcoal vinyl. Odo: 8 miles. 283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Variable panel fit somewhat beyond factory. Good paint with some overspray on bumper insulation blocks, unmarked chrome. Good interior has some overspray on fender door rubber and a AT $62,000. Last seen a few weeks ago at Tom Mack's Charlotte Autofair sale, where it failed to sell at an undisclosed amount. Here this car was bid to a high number but still didn't sell. It's hard to say what percentage of the overall car remained in its original finish, and the Powerglide transmission didn't help matters much either. This bid was all the money and more for this tired example. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. #550-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N J59S107735. Inca Silver & white/black vinyl/red leather. Odo: 92,953 miles. 283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Rough door jambs, masking lines and paint chips show this restoration's age. Instrument panel didn't fit after dash was redone and has been obviously forced into place. Nicely done hard www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 63

Market Report Global Roundup Corvettes across the block broken off. Acceptable door gaps and fit, excellent original chrome and trim. Older lowimpact engine detailing now getting dusty and greasy. Older replacement interior soft trim, dingy black rubber floor mats. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $56,180. With the Powerslide automatic and only the hard top, there's not much justification to go past $50k here, and that's where the bidding on the block stopped. However, the consignor stood firm and fast at $55k, and it paid off as a post-block sale. Once in a while, I guess you get lucky. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. top headliner, checkbook interior restoration, once-nice engine bay has fuel-stained carbs and stickers damaged from pressure washing. A tired, mediocre Corvette. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $62,100. This Corvette was really in need of a complete redo, as everything was aging and some of it not too well. It's hard to believe this car would bid higher than the '62 fuelie. The seller just got all the money in the world. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. #S126-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 10867S102204. Tuxedo Black/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 51,308 miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Refurbished with a frame-on redo about a year ago, to include a good quality repaint, engine rebuild, replating of bumpers and trim pieces, new top, and replacement interior soft trim. Suspension sits a bit low in the rear. Door fit not too great, as both sides lay unevenly NOT SOLD AT $130,000. This car was on the block at Barrett-Jackson's Palm Beach sale in March '06, where it sold at $137,160. Since then only 52 miles had turned on the odometer, but even so, it had some needs, and I think the seller missed an opportunity in selling it at this price. RM Auctions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2/09. #S88-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 20867S105956. Honduras Maroon /black vinyl & maroon hard top/black vinyl. Odo: 33,280 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuelinjected V8, 4-sp. Factory options include Positraction, both tops, seat belts, and AM/FM radio. Decent repaint over wavy prep work, rear wheelwell lips shaved slightly, fronts C2 TOP 10 #2 Best Buy #287-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 coupe. S/N 30837S112830. Navy blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 34,120 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Generally good panel fit, door to roof gaps off. Very good paint and chrome except for some minor loss of paint on hood “vent” pieces. Good interior shows some wear on console, carpets a bit baggy. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $192,500. against body despite decent gaps. Wears four original T-3 headlight bulbs. New top shows some weathering and wrinkling from lesser quality installation. Authentically detailed engine bay. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $63,000. The dealership that consigned this was looking at getting about $70k out of it. With today's market, plus the general cooling of most C1 values, they should have taken the money and run—especially since this was in that very low 2- to very high 3+ condition zone. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #SP60-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 20867S104187. Sateen Silver/ black vinyl. Odo: 26,388 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. An older restoration with NCRS and Bloomington Gold recognition many years ago. Nice paint, chrome, and trim. Fitted with heavy-duty brakes and suspension options. While its glory days have passed, it still looks formidable, but it is in immediate need of new tires before going on the road. Cond: 3+. 64 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com untouched. Excellent headlight trim bezel to body fit, four T-3 bulbs still in place. Engine bay rather bland despite having been cleaned up. All ignition shielding missing. Wrinkled replacement dashpad around rear view mirror, heavier-than-stock gloss on replacement interior vinyl. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $50,000. The seller couldn't have been too serious about selling it, as the bidding started at just two grand. Things pretty much petered out at $50k, with no idea on what it was really going to take to sell it. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S167-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 20867S105325. Ermine White/white hard top/red vinyl. Odo: 66,278 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Mileage claimed correct. Good quality old repaint with most masking lines muted from polishing. Original windshield weatherstripping with several cracks and a couple of small chunks A “big tank” Z06 Split Window would push practically every button in the Corvette world, and that's what we were presented with here. This car scored 98 points in National NCRS events, has been given Top Flight status, and was shown with a raft of documents. Nevertheless, some of the very particular gurus of Corvette could not be convinced to sign off on it. As a consequence, it sold under the low estimate of $225k. If all checks out, the buyer may have found a bit of a bargain. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 3/09. #391-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 30837S119743. Ermine White/red vinyl. Odo: 65,839 miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8, 4bbl. Cosmetic restoration to an average standard. Lots of overspray and orange peel, paint needs to be rubbed out and buffed. Average panel fit.

Overspray in engine compartment. Nice interior is stated to be original. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $55,000. Was a no-sale at RM's Toronto sale in October '04 at $35,690 (CM# 36781), where it was stated to have received a high quality respray. Driven 10,000 hard miles since, which required a quickie respray. Correct money for a very average L76 Split-Window. Worldwide Group, Escondido, CA, 4/09. #588-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 30837S113724. Light blue/black leather. Odo: 18,151 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint shows wetsanding scratches, weatherstripping dry, glass scratched. Original interior OK aside from missing and incorrect trim screws and beat-up center console. Honest driver-quality engine bay missing distributor shielding, undercarriage clean but not new by any some small details taken care of. The bent trim at the rear windows would probably be expensive to replace, but it was one of many little things that added up to make this just an expensive driver. The seller would have been wise to cut it loose, as this was all the money for this one right now. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. #388-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 40737S111553. Eng. # 3782870. Riverside Red/black vinyl. Odo: 31,938 miles. 327-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Correct casting numbers and date codes provided by seller. Panel fit to factory specs, with some inconsistencies throughout. Minor blemishes in paint, no issues with interior. A respectable, rather means. A quickie closed-door restoration. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $45,000. 1963 was the first year for the Sting Ray moniker and the only year for the split rear window. This car just wasn't nice enough to meet the demands of today's market, as obviously rushed work doesn't inspire confidence in anyone. Bidders were smart to pass on this one, and the seller needs to either rethink his restoration strategy or cut this loose. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. #572-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 30837S109818. Eng. # 3109818F0219RF. Red/black leather. Odo: 6,023 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Nice, older exterior renovation, lightly pitted bumpers and ill fitting back glass trim. Mediocre interior with many original parts, yellowed courtesy lights, masking lines visible around gauges. Recent carpet and vinyl look great but just don't quite fit right. Mismatched hose clamps and Armor All under the hood aren't outweighed by a correct Delco battery. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $80,000. This Corvette would have done much better with basic Corvette. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $40,425. The seller claimed this car had matching numbers and provided the documentation to back it up, but even so, the price paid was a touch on the low side. It could have sold for a bit more without concern. Well bought. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. #SP48-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 40837S104737. Daytona Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 22,704 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuelinjected V8, 4-sp. Well preserved since frameoff restoration ten years ago. A “Big Tank” car with J56 brakes and Positraction. Nice paint, chrome, and interior, engine bay should have been detailed better to complete the offering. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $70,000. The high bid was not accepted, but the auctioneer hinted it was close to the price it would have taken to sell this fuelie. If so, the consignor would have been smart to consider the bid. RM Auctions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2/09. #SP90-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 824M297363. Silver Blue/ white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 41,293 miles. 327ci 375-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Very well done recent body-off restoration with excellent paint, panel fit, chrome, trim, and interior. Desirable fuelie motor in well-detailed compartment. www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 65

Market Report Global Roundup Corvettes across the block Cond: 3. SOLD AT $52,250. A third of all '64 Corvettes had the L76 327/365 engine, which was a $107 option. Price paid was market correct for a '64 Corvette coupe in average condition. Drive and enjoy until it's time to do proper respray. Worldwide Group, Escondido, CA, 4/09. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $57,500. This 'Vette had a great look overall, and the 375-hp 327 was the top of the heap in 1964. Seller was correct to hold out for a better day. RM Auctions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2/09. #S144-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 40867S116205. Riverside Red/white vinyl & red hard top/red vinyl. Odo: 28,716 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Body tag missing along with lower dashboard mount bolts. Daytona Blue visible at the bottom of several layers of chipping paint in door jambs. Heavily buffed red paint with lots of overspray on weatherstripping. Fitted with big-block hood, 427 emblems, and sidepipes. Heavily faded and worn old replacement seats, carpeting crudely cut and glued in from left-over house carpet, armrests from either a Corvair or Chevy II sedan fited. Engine bay a mess, but it does seem to run OK. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $29,680. The first of two rough '64 red convertibles I found at this sale. Cheap for loads of good reasons, although I've seen worse sell for more. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #397-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 40867S103481. Satin Silver/ black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 91,506 miles. 327-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated to have matching numbers. Normal varied panel fit to factory specs, numerous stress cracks in paint. Minor dents in trim, fitted with reproduction knockoffs. Original interior in decent condition. cracks around headlights, scratches here and there. Front fenders worn by wide tires, rear quarters cut and flared for even wider ones. Left front bumper crinkled, others old. Cond: 4. NOT SOLD AT $34,000. Rode hard, but put away dry in Nevada, at least. Much, much older than its years, and probably drives like a bad dream. I'd have jumped at the high bid like a drowning man. Silver Auctions, Portland, OR, 2/09. 66 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com console top quickly repainted red. Very original and aged looking underhood. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $29,849. Refurbished rather than restored, this 327/300 coupe was a former California car that still retained its original interior and numbers-matching V8, and the mileage was believed to be correct. White's not a favorite among Corvette collectors, but this was a good buy. RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/09. #48-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194375S105336. Red/black vinyl & red hard top/black vinyl. Odo: 61,309 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A Nevada car, one of 1,191 originally finished in Tuxedo Black. 1964 hood, no power steering or power brakes, comes with both tops. Door fit typical, chrome rallies on modern blackwall radials. No documentation on big-block engine. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $42,000. Last seen here in November '08, where it failed to sell at $47,000 (CM# 118800). Not everyone wants a Bloomington Corvette; this was the perfect car for the guy who'd rather have one that just looks and sounds good. As such, this was priced right. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. #173-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194375S116808. Rally Red/red vinyl. Odo: 65,751 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4sp. Protect-O-Plate and papers discovered with car document original equipment. Excellent paint and panel fit, off-road exhaust, AM/FM radio. Engine bay clean with no leaks or streaks. Strong presentation. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $71,000. A documented car in this condition should have brought another $10k or so. The Best Buy #SP70-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 40837S114292. White/red vinyl. Odo: 71,710 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Body off for restoration, photos said to be available. Resprayed in original white to high standard. Original stainless rockers worn, all other chrome fresh but showing scratches throughout. Good original red seats, dash faded, #SP69-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194675S102559. Green/ black cloth/black vinyl. Odo: 87,709 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older resprayed green paint with dirt, chips, and scratches. New, but not flawless chrome. Haphazardly painted console. Underside solid and painted black, very original under the hood. Refurbished wheels with new chrome caps and set of Michelin tires. Cond: -3. NOT SOLD AT $39,690. Sidepipes and wheels helped make this green 'Vette more attractive. Stated it was all original, but a cosmetic or sympathetic resto was evident. Price seemed like more than enough, considering its issues. RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/09. #149-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194675S122156. Rally Red/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 53,739 miles. 396-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Born as an Ermine White Corvette. New interior, red piping on black leather not typical. Very good paint and panel fit, decent chrome, window frames pitted. Equipped with sidepipes and

#SP79-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 19467S124537. Mosport Green/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 2 miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recently completed body-off restoration with much detail work, including orange overspray on exhaust manifolds. Claimed to be the only 427/425 in seller, well known in Corvette circles, should have no trouble getting his price. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. #109-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convetible. S/N 19465S109047. Glen Green/ tan fabric/black vinyl. Odo: 62,485 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Minor paint blemishes in otherwise decent paint. Equipped with sidepipes, power windows, power brakes, power steering, reproduction knockoffs, and Goldline Mosport Green, it also has two tops, as well as optional F41 performance suspension. A few swirl marks in the paint, but still a magnificent offering. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $90,000. Very nicely done throughout. The seller made the right decision to keep this 'Vette at this price, as I think there's more money out there for it. RM Auctions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2/09. #NR27-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE tires. Very nice interior. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $54,000. Glen Green is an attractive color that was even more popular than Rally Red when new. The price bid would buy an average L75 convertible, but this one was a bit better than that. Another $10k would not have been out of line, so the seller can't be faulted for taking this home. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. #196-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194676S105771. Sunfire Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 56,130 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Respray in attractive color to high standard with no issues noted, fit and alignment better than when it left the factory. Goldline tires a $46 option in 1966. Interior coupe. S/N 194376S111735. Sunfire Yellow/ black vinyl. Odo: 48,616 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A well presented and correct “big tank” coupe. Paint and panel gaps nicer than stock, chrome and trim well-fitted and showing no issues. Optioned with goodies during restoration. Restamped engine block to make it “numbers matching.” Replica 1969 Missouri inspection tag affixed to replacement windshield. Moderately detailed engine compartment. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $43,000. Last seen at Kruse's Scottsdale auction in January '99, where it failed to sell at $28,500 (CM# 6301). Proof once again that “matching numbers” is a misnomer if you stamp the numbers you want wherever you want them. The bidders had a far more realistic view of this contrived coupe than the consignor, who had a $60k reserve. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S66-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194676S115502. Ermine White/white vinyl/bright blue leather. Odo: 92,631 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed to have left the factory with a 425-hp mill. Factory options include full tinted glass, pb, side exhaust, and teak wheel. Also fitted with leather seats and reproduction knockoffs. Recently completed body-on-frame refurbishment, with body character lines still crisp de- such as sidepipes and radio delete, as ordered by serious drivers back in the day. One of only 66 36-gallon tank coupes built in '66. Offered at no reserve. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $52,250. At $52,250, this “tanker” was well bought, to say the least. These models have been selling at quite a premium in the past few years, so the new owner should be pleased. RM Auctions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2/09. #F73-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE appears to be in very nice condition, window frames pitted. A striking 'Vette. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $50,500. A very nice but far from perfect Corvette that could have brought another $7,500 or so without a question. As such, the owner will wait for another day and hope the economy improves. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. coupe. S/N 194376S125973. Nassau Blue/black leather. Odo: 23,634 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Equipped with a/c, power brakes, and AM/FM radio. Sidepipes, reproduction knockoffs, and big-block hood added. Decent repaint, some waviness to body. Replacement right front quarter panel, lightly shaved wheelwells on all four corners. Standard black vinyl upholstery changed to leather with headrests spite heavier prep work. Excellent door gaps, heavy positive camber at rear suspension. Well detailed authentic engine bay, expertly installed reproduction soft trim. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $62,500. Last seen at Mecum's Kissimmee venue in January of '08, where it sold at $69,825 (CM# 49060). Generally a good quality redo, but with a few key non-authentic bits, and no proof was presented to make the claims airtight. High bid should have been enough. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #603-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194376S114611. Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 52,395 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Engine rebuild in 2007, flawless paint in 2008 over a claimed unhit body. Original interior removed and reinstalled after repaint, driver's seat split open. Very nice engine bay with incorrect battery and lots of original www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 67

Market Report Global Roundup Corvettes across the block easily brought 50% again as much, but the seller must have a better use for the money. I'd bet the buyer is still grinning. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. #202-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE parts. Scratched rocker panels likely original, beautiful undercarriage. All books, papers, and receipts. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $65,000. The famous 427 cubic inch monsters were first available in 1966. This Corvette was one of the nicest present this spring in Branson, but the seller was still expecting 2006 money. A new interior would bring this to the next level, as all the hard stuff was already done. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. #F219-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Custom convertible. S/N 194676S103084. Two-tone blue metallic/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 50,981 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Unusual 1980s custom job in the spirit of the GM concept cars. Pop-up headlights and front bumper deleted, quad rectangular lamps fitted to front grille. Bodywork exhibits waviness in places. Interior more stock and without major wear. Rear bumper remains and is presentable, along with limited remaining brightwork. Big- all the numbers check out, the bid here was well under the money. If they don't, then bid was about right. The owner was nowhere in sight, and since nothing was presented documenting the car, I have to go with the latter. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. #114-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S120267. Rally Red/ black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 1,804 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Engine not born with car, 977 paint code tells us it was Lynndale Blue prior to respray. Swirls and touch-ups to paint, excellent panel fit and brightwork. Good top fit, very nice interior, engine clean and tidy. coupe. S/N 194377S105190. Lynndale Blue/ teal blue vinyl. Odo: 70,282 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Documented with tank sticker, optioned with a/c. Quality restoration to better than original specs, Bloomington judges would be marking “not typical” on their sheets. Excellent respray to a high standard, new interior, superb brightwork. Far better than when it left the factory. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $62,000. Air can add as much as $5,000 to the value here, so I'd have to agree that the final bid was light by as much as $10k. Over-restored Corvettes do not appeal to all, so you're taking a chance when you go too far. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $44,500. Even with the alterations, the price bid was light for a Corvette in this condition. In this market, altered cars are taking a sizable hit over those that are not molested. If the car were mine, I would have wanted more, but I'm not sure where I'd go to get it. McCormick Auctions, Palm Springs, CA, 2/09. block Chevrolet mill of unknown origin exhibits good detailing but has at least one bad mount, as fan has gone through the radiator shroud at least once. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $30,975. A bigblock and a 4-speed along with some unique looks seems like fun, but single-circuit brakes give me pause. While the new owner will need a fresh two-tone Members Only windbreaker, Porsche Design sunglasses, and perhaps even a Benetton hat, this still represents a good bit of fun for the money as a driver. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. #131-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194377S103645. Tuxedo Black & red/black vinyl. Odo: 15,214 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Born with Marina Blue livery. Very nice Tuxedo Black paint with a few swirls over decent panel fit, stinger paint not typical of factory production. New interior, brightwork finished to high standard. Fitted with off-road exhaust and power windows. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $70,000. Assuming 68 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Best Buy #167-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S102012. Silver Pearl/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 93,332 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Same owner last 18 years. Numbers matching with casting and stampings listed for verification, receipts for mechanical work total $25,000. Attractive paint, factory-spec panel fit, good brightwork. Well-fitted interior, door handles pitted, wiper marks on windshield. An attractive presentation. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $46,988. The price paid for this L79 convertible was well under the money, especially considering the no-questions documentation. Could have #S149.1-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S118550. Eng. # S110196F0309HT. Rally Red/white vinyl/ white vinyl. Odo: 37,261 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Non-original 1965 block is period correct for L79. Fitted with sidepipes, headrests, AM/FM radio, Rally wheels, and modern Redline radials. Softer body contours from prep sanding, cleaned-up wheelwells lightly shaved. Mediocre door and panel fit, newer chrome and stainless trim, sidepipe shields road worn. Original windshield seal cracked. Sits low, with excessive negative camber. Newer top and interior, authentic engine bay. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $55,000. Originally crossed the block as lot F36, a no-sale at $58k, rumbling off the block with the auctioneer stating it was going to take more than that. On Saturday, things changed a bit, when the last bidder raised his own bid from $50k to buy the car at a more realistic price. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #369-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S110403. Sunfire Yellow & black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 38,242 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated to be a three-owner car with NCRS

Second Flight award in 2008. Good panel fit, paint shows minor swirls throughout. Good brightwork, glass not chipped or scratched. Big-block hood and sidepipes fitted, correct flat hood comes with car. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $58,300. Strong money for a base-level Corvette with a fakey-doo hood. And as soon as you start the engine, nobody standing around it will be fooled. Well sold. Worldwide Group, Escondido, CA, 4/09. #564-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S120336. Red & white/white leather. Odo: 35,162 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Displayed with floor mirrors that show someone didn't attach the driver's side sway bar link correctly, as bushings and washers are out of order. Professional repaint chipped from door fit issues and burned through on the headlight bucket edges. New leather, new carpet, good gauges. Very nice and correct engine bay appears fresh and the block, but Worldwide's early auction results showed it as a no-sale. Later on, it was back in the sold column, so a little behind-the-scenes activity might have taken place to get the deal done. Well bought, considering interesting history. See the profile, p. 32. Worldwide Group, Seabrook, TX, 5/09. C3 #S39-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194678S408672. Blue metallic/white vinyl & blue hard top/blue vinyl. Odo: 69,305 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Claimed to have left St. Louis with a 390-hp 427, now fitted with an early 1970s 454. Newer trim-off repaint, most of the trim now reproduction, along with replated bumpers. Front and rear crossed flags not reinstalled, mounting holes filled in. Lots of wearing a set of stock wheels, if for no other reason than they would have covered those red calipers. Getting past the wheels, this seemed to be a well sorted out car. Bought well. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S44-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194379S728428. Cortez Silver & black/black vinyl. Odo: 91,355 miles. 350-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Non-original engine. Scruffy older repaint with some paint flaking off hood drip ledge, non-stock black hood stripes added. Poor driver's door fit, dull original chrome and trim, some bodywork blistering between headlights and hood. Most everything under the hood is non-stock and ratty. Period shows little signs of use. Serious eye appeal from every angle, but with a few small needs. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $85,000. The mirrors were a nice touch but only showed the cautious buyer that this one was put together for show. Seeing the sway bar bushings out of order makes me wonder what else was rushed at the last minute. What can be expected from a restorer who makes a mistake that will affect roadability and resale? Corvette buyers know what they're looking for at this level, and this wasn't it. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. #35-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE racer. S/N 032 518. Blue/black. 366-ci 675-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. From John Mecom's racing stable. Owned by Delmo Johnson, who raced Grand Sport s/n 003. Crashed in 1982 and rebuilt to 1974 IMSA specs, less than hour on engine since completion. Accepted by major vintage racing clubs. Body in as-raced condition. Sold on Bill of Sale. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $44,000. This was hammered sold as it crossed aftermarket components on and around motor, rear suspension sits very high. New seat kits and door panels, redyed console and dashpad, faded original seat belts, replacement carpet doesn't fit well and has heavier wear. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $18,550. There seemed to be a lot of interest in this collection of parts. For that reason alone, the seller was the smartest dude in the building for turning this ratty rat motor loose at the price paid. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S104-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194678S401033. Black/ white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 11 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Equipped with ps, pb, pw, and AM/FM radio. Fitted with 17-inch chrome TorqThrust wheels and performance radials, red painted brake calipers. Recent cosmetic redo with good body prep and panel fit, paint already has quite a few polishing scratches. Replated bumpers and all new trim. Authentically detailed engine bay, all new seating, carpeting, door panels, dash vinyl, and seat belts. Refinished wood-tone steering wheel and repainted steering column. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $31,800. I'm willing to bet this car would've done better than this had it been tuck-and-roll upholstery job is oh so 1970s. Aftermarket AM/FM/cassette deck displaces the stock radio. Consignor claimed the car might have originally been fitted with sidepipes. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $10,600. The paint came off more as a modern-day platinum or silver blue than 1969 Cortez Silver, especially since I had lot S115 to compare it to. There wasn't much to brag about here, so the seller was wise to drop the reserve after the final bid was tendered. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S115-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194679S721697. Cortez Silver/black vinyl & silver hard top/black embossed vinyl. Odo: 2,318 miles. 350-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Factory installed a/c, pb, ps, pw, and both tops. Protect-O-Plate, tank sticker. Full restoration. Well-prepped bodywork with sharp character lines and better-thanoriginal door and panel fit. Excellent repaint, show-quality bumper rechroming, top-quality replacement trim. Engine compartment nearly concours, newer replacement upholstery, older replacement carpet somewhat soiled and worn. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $45,000. This was www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 69

Market Report Global Roundup Corvettes across the block history on the windshield and a reasonably highquality presentation, the only thing holding this back was the Chiquita Banana color scheme. As a nice car with a more than able powerplant and very little left to bring it up quite a bit, I'd say this was slightly well bought at this price. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. one of the better restorations at this sale—not just of Corvettes, but of all vehicles in general. However, it probably had an unrealistic reserve, as it was on the auction block very briefly before returning to the seller's hands. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S170-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194379S736942. White/saddle vinyl. Odo: 55,678 miles. 350-ci 350-hp V8, 4bbl, 4-sp. Factory options include ps and AM/ FM stereo, confirmed by a copy of the original tank sticker. Awarded an NCRS Top Flight in 2007. Authentic-looking lacquer repaint, betterthan-original door and panel fit, although hood #628-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194371S115117. Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 69,318 miles. 454-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Glossy paint on top with sander marks everywhere, dry paint below the body line. Original appearing interior presents well but is dirty in all the hard to reach places. Displayed with the hood up to show off sanding sludge all over vacuum hoses and headlight canisters. they were the last Corvettes with front and rear chrome bumpers. This car was solid overall, but as a base-engine example, this money was in the ballpark. RM Auctions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2/09. #S53-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1Z67J5S409252. White/ whtie vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 56,743 miles. 350-ci 165-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Body code tag missing. Options include a/c, tilt/telescopic column, ps, pw, and AM/FM radio. Acceptable door and panel gaps, hood alignment off. Fresh repaint with a glossy sheen, some light overspray on original door weatherstripping. Lightly detailed and somewhat cleaned-up does sit slightly low. Authentically detailed and clean engine bay, to include all smog equipment. Cleaned-up mostly original interior, seats show a few seam separations at pleats. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $27,000. It may not have been the prettiest Corvette, but at least it was authentic. Some would argue that pretty cars sell, and for this one it would be hard to disagree with that logic. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #F199-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194679S718632. Yellow/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 4,722 miles. 350-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. High-quality older restoration appears to have been recently freshened but still needs some additional detailing. Chrome bumpers presentable, brightwork scratched and lightly pitted in places. Black leather seats could have been done with fewer wrinkles, dash and console tidy. Engine compartment leaves little to fault, including complete correct smog system. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $35,700. With plenty of An honestly nice car seriously lacking in the detail department. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $22,500. 1971 was the first year for lower compression ratios and a drop in horsepower, and was also the last year for the fiber optic lamp monitoring system. I can understand only wetsanding above the body line on some cars, but this one was so dry down low it looked like it had been done with a spray can. More detail work might bring another $5k, so hope the seller is stocked up on elbow grease.Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. #SP93-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1Z67K2S509484. Steel Cities Gray/black vinyl/white vinyl. 350-ci 200-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recent high quality exterior respray showing well, chrome and trim unmarked. Right side interior door panel falling off, remainder of interior fitted well and showing little wear. A nice driver and a good entry-level 'Vette. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $29,000. Last seen at Corvettes at Carlisle in August '08, where it failed to sell at $27,000 (CM# 117999). The '72s are considered to be the end of an era, as engine bay. Aftermarket console T-pad, replacement seats, dashpad, and door panels a hue off from each other. Aftermarket carpeted floor mats, newer replacement carpet and top. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $16,000. Last seen at the Corvettes at Carlisle auction in August '08, where it sold at $16,800 (CM# 117984). Not too bad of a spiff-up job since then on a final year C3 rag top, but as an L48/automatic, this bid should have really sold the car. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #F234-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z37J5S402398. Bright green metallic/white vinyl. Odo: 74,283 miles. 350-ci 165-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Brilliant respray to a high standard, jambs show tape marks and original paint color. Brightwork all likely original and in driver condition, rubber weatherstripping original and rather rough. Interior nice and fitted with tilt column, typical wear to shift console. Engine compartment tatty. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $8,100. Chevrolet ought to have used the Cadillac name for this color, Persian Lime Firemist, since someone with an emphasis on style rather than performance had to be the buyer of a 165-hp Corvette. Bright green metallic didn't get the deal done here at Carlisle, which was surprising since it would have made a very 70 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

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Market Report Global Roundup Corvettes across the block unusual and very visible addition to someone's Corvette collection. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. #450-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z87L8S432774. Silver/black vinyl. Odo: 74,310 miles. 350-ci 185-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Flowmaster mufflers, 2¼-inch exhaust, MSD high energy ignition wires. Resprayed silver paint with minor flaws and orange peel, clean underhood with chrome Corvette valve covers and basic detailing. Fresh black interior, carpets wrinkled and lifting around console. Clean, solid, undetailed is most appropriate on several levels. Market priced. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #F228-1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z8789S433687. Gray metallic/ red vinyl. Odo: 44,935 miles. 350-ci 195-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Uniform quality gray metallic repaint extends to aftermarket ducktail-style rear spoiler. Glass tops not delaminated and contrast nicely with finish color. Factory mags unmarked but shod with mismatched radials. #280-1980 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z876AS424891. Red/black leather. Odo: 71,494 miles. 350-ci 230-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fitted with glass T-Tops and factory a/c. A three-owner car from new. Nice repaint could use a little more wetsanding, interior needs to be scrubbed and seats should underside. A nice driver. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $8,465. Noted as a 25th Anniversary 'Vette, but not a 25th Anniversary version. Stated in catalog to have a 4-speed auto with 2,000RPM stall converter, shift kit, and 3.73:1 gearing, but inside, it sure looked like a 3-speed automatic. Other changes were not the kind a purist would admire, but it was more for those just looking for a reliable driver. Bid price was in market value range. RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/09. #S150-1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z8749S408847. Black/oyster leather . Odo: 48,618 miles. 350-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional L82 with 4-speed, a/c, power window and lock package, rear window defroster, sport mirrors, and tilt/telescopic column. Fitted with aftermarket roll-up rear parcel compartment cover. Average quality repaint with some heavier polishing swirls. Freshly redyed seats, door panels, arm rests, Interior tidy with light fading to plastics, seats appear to have been redone. Engine compartment lightly restored and clean with the exception of hurried black paint to the firewall area. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $10,290. A note on the windshield from the seller read, “This is believed to be a 350/195hp original,” and it doesn't get much worse than that for 1979. This was an attractive car at a decent enough price, so all parties should be happy with the result. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. #F173-1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z8789S410191. Red/red vinyl & leather. Odo: 57,082 miles. 350-ci 195-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nice older red repaint on undamaged original bodywork attests to claimed single owner history. Limited brightwork still shines. Interior and weatherstripping a bit scruffy, early 1980s Pioneer stereo further dates the be recovered. Driver quality engine bay looks to have been untouched for years, with lots of surface rust and old worn-out belts. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $10,260. Shiny paint disguising an old dog. Obviously the seller knew this wasn't anything special and took a no-reserve gamble. This one probably needs mechanical attention, but parts are cheap and the paint was already done. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. #S181-1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1AY8769BS408874. White/ tinted panels/butterscotch leather. Odo: 61,885 miles. 350-ci 190-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Copies of the original window sticker confirm pdl, driver's side power seat, tinted roof panels, rear window defroster, cruise control, electronic AM/FM/cassette stereo, power antenna, and alloy wheels. All original paint with some light hazing to upper surfaces and chipping on panel console, plastic roof panels, steering wheel rim, dashpad, and dashboard. Aftermarket floor mats cover heaviest wear on carpeting. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $10,100. This was plenty to pay for a highly reconditioned '79, until you consider that it was the top dog for performance for this year. Then again, considering that a Dodge pickup had higher performance numbers in 1979 than a Corvette, “top dog” 72 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com last improvements. Some engine compartment reconditioning evident, with some paintwork, a sticker kit, and air cleaner from an earlier model. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $8,925. It was a surprise when the reserve came off and this example sold well under five figures. While nothing special, it was a well-preserved lowmileage example that would benefit from a new hobbyist taking over the detailing. Well bought and sold. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. edges. Typical uneven door to front clip gaps, dull finish to wheels. Original interior components, but fading and wear to steering wheel and center cap is far less than the rest of the interior. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $9,250. Exactly the same description as when the same dealer consigned it here in December '08 as lot F87, where it was reported as sold at $9,500 (CM# 119027). OK, there is another mile on the clock, but it is quite a ways from the loading lot to the center hall, multiplied by four (twice in December, twice here). As was the case last time, a fair deal for all parties involved. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #335-1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1AY8784C5116728. Red/red leather. Odo: 88,057 miles. 350-ci 200-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Claimed original paint has been buffed to almost nothing, with lots of burned edges and a few light stress cracks. Good original interior shows light wear and is let down by stretched leather on steering

wheel. Engine bay mostly original and shows dirt and wear that support claimed mileage. An old original that could really use a repaint. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $10,530. A good color combination, but nothing special, really. Just an honest old Corvette that was probably in the same hands for a long time. Does the original paint really help? Good deal for the seller, as this Corvette will need a lot spent soon. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. C4 #413-1984 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1AY0780E5119503. Blue/black leather. Odo: 15,378 miles. 350-ci 205-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Excellent original paint other than faded rubber nose and tail. Interior like new except for some cracking on driver's seat. Little wear on carpets. Clean original NOT SOLD AT $5,700. The consignor was rather busy detailing this car while it was in line to cross the auction block. Why do it ahead of time when you can rush through it with potential buyers watching? Indicative of weaker condition C4s as of late, bidding started at a grand, and barely squeaked up to being $800 short of the wishful reserve. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S47-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE for it on the whole, and the bid should have been reconsidered. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. #457-1985 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Custom coupe. S/N 1G1YY0782F5118501. Red/gray cloth. Odo: 204,831 km. 350-ci 230hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Fitted with pw, pb, and ps. Resprayed original red, many sanding marks and prep issues noted. Original cloth interior shows wear, especially at console. Cheap aftermarket steering wheel cover does not help coupe. S/N 1G1YY2182H5119767. Firethorn Red/tinted panel/saddle leather. Odo: 88,723 miles. 350-ci 240-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Factory options include tinted roof panel, Bilstein suspension, electronic climate control, and power driver's seat. Fitted with aftermarket mudflaps, cat-back exhaust, rosewood shift knob, console pad, and sill protectors. Average quality respray with a couple of masking shortcuts on window seals. Claimed to be replacement seat leather with heavier wear and soiling, seat belts faded, carpets recently detailing underhood and on black underside. Aftermarket chrome wheels look out of place. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $11,340. A lowmileage example. “This car is original right down to the spark plugs!” Hmm... not necessarily a good thing on a 25-year-old Corvette. Price bid was market correct. RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/09. #F129-1984 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1AY0785E5118797. Black/tan leather. Odo: 112,016 miles. 350-ci 205-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Older black respray to a driver level, with touch-ups and tape marks noted throughout. Rubber weatherstripping shredding in places. Tan interior all original, smells heavily of air freshener, and shows normal wear commensurate with mileage. Factory wheels show wear but no major damage. Engine bay undetailed but exhibits signs of maintenance. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $3,700. Apparently owned by a pilot since 1985, this 'Vette had current NY tags, inspection, and a sticker allowing it access to Rochester airport. Really no more than an average driver condition car, this first-year 'Vette had little going already damaged image. Fairly clean, but not detailed underhood. Huge Ferrari F40-style wing, large add-on hood bulge and ground effects kit. High mileage. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $5,792. Bright red paint combined with rather overdone add-ons made this Corvette a bit of an acquired taste. Not many people were interested, and the high bid was a reflection of that. RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/09. #F60-1986 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1YY0783G5108979. Firethorn Red/tinted panel/gray leather. Odo: 73,979 miles. 350-ci 230-ho fuel-injected V8, auto. Options include Bilstein suspension, electronic climate control, and roll-up rear window shade. Tires heavily yellowed on dingy alloy wheels. OK original paint, but clear coat has light flaking on rear valance and chipping on nose from gravel abrasions. Windshield with heavier wiper arm scratching. Electric fans wired to always be on when ignition is on. Economy replacement exhaust system. Cond: 4+. Non-descript engine bay. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $7,000. Another case of a seller calling a repaint and some new carpet a restoration. That barely qualifies for reconditioning. Not much call here for a tarted-up used car, and this money wasn't far from the mark. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #403-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1G1YY33182H5126627. Red & gold/tan cloth/tan leather. Odo: 103,912 miles. 350-ci 240-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Resprayed in original red, some chips and dirt in paint. Dent in A-frame trim, rubber deteriorating around doors and windows. Tan leather interior and woodgrain dash and console still replaced. nice, but plastic black door caps loose and warping. Original detailing underhood showing age. Recent new brakes, but needs exhaust system. Clean original underside. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $5,613. Whereas C4 coupes are not getting many fans too excited, convertibles do have a stronger, more enthusiastic following. Price bid was indicative of value and desirabil- www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 73

Market Report Global Roundup Corvettes across the block ity, but bought well nonetheless. RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/09. #S2-1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1G1YY3189J5114397. Red/ black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 86,448 miles. 350ci 245-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Fitted with aftermarket rear wing, exhaust outlets, partial wood dashboard kit, steering wheel rim cover, and later model chrome alloy wheels. Average older repaint with lots of scratches on top landing panel, heavier wear on weatherstripping #F24-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR-1 coupe. S/N 1G1YZ23J2L5802560. Red/tinted plexiglass/black leather. Odo: 38,244 miles. 350-ci 375-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Fitted with tinted roof panel and power leather sport seats. 1991-1993 alloys with fresh Sumitomo radials. Good original paint shows a few nicks and road abrasions. Used car undercarriage, heavily sooted exhaust outlets. Dealer- cloth/Ruby Red leather. Odo: 76,579 miles. 350-ci fuel-injected V8, auto. Fitted with ProCharger supercharger system with a sheet aluminum intake that looks like a high school shop class project. Period ZR-1 wheels protrude about an inch outside the bodywork. Fresh, low-budget repaint is a looker at ten feet and a stinker at two feet. Gold toned emblems front and door handles. New vinyl seat kit and console upholstery stick out inside faded and moderately worn original interior. Lightly worn replacement top. Basic engine compartment clean-up, none under the car. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $7,750. The consignor wisely cut the reserve loose at the end of the bidding, knowing full well that regardless of what was thrown at it to gussy it up, this was all of the money in the world for a moderately fancy used car. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #521-1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1YY2187J5100881. Maroon/ black cloth. Odo: 85,392 miles. 350-ci 245-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Paint shows rock chips all over the nose, compound in the cracks, and is buffed to almost nothing. Interior OK but shows lots of bolster wear and aftermarket speaker grilles in the doors. Driver quality engine bay with aftermarket remote battery cut- grade engine cosmetics, new Interstate battery. Upholstery wear commensurate with mileage. Dashboard lights extremely dim with car running. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $20,670. Went past the reserve at $19,250 by one additional bid. A decent deal for all involved, as C4 sellers can't be too choosy if they really want to move their car. Buyer got a respectable deal on a low-mile driver ZR-1. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S120-1993 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 40th Anniversary convertible. S/N 1G1YY33P5115608. Ruby Red/Ruby Red cloth/Ruby Red leather. Odo: 113,806 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Options include power sport seats and Delco/Bose CD sound system. Good original paint with minimal scuffing, chips, and polishing swirls. Heavier scuffing on top flipper lid where top seal contacts it, significant wear on bottom and rear. Good fitting new top, less interior wear than expected for the miles. Aftermarket door sill carpet protectors and DIN-mount stereo system fitted. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $15,900. This one seemed to defy all of the rules, as aftermarket blower kits usually don't make folks bid with reckless abandon. The seller certainly didn't mind, as he was more than happy to drop his reserve when the bidding stopped. Out of all three 40th Anniversary converts at this sale, this would've been the last one I'd have bid on, as I'd have given that bolt-on blower a wide berth. Whatever. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #F142-1993 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1YY23P6P512076. Red/blue glass/light gray leather. Odo: 49,082 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Brilliant red paint with possible slight retouching. Some light rubber deterioration at window sweeps, as well as door and roof seals. Chrome factory mags a little much, but done well. Driver's seat bolster torn and worn, console lid cracked but the rest of the interior surprisingly like new. off switch and some dry-rotted hoses and belts. A used car. No reserve. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $9,180. This Corvette wasn't really too appealing considering the price, as it had lots of hard miles and a color scheme that hasn't weathered the test of time. The buyer did manage to get into a Corvette under $10k, but he'll spend a bit more before this one is ready for a lot of use. The seller took a gamble and hit a home run. Cox Auctions, Branson, MO, 4/09. 74 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com of front spoiler. Cleaned up and regularly maintained engine bay, but not in show condition. Seating surfaces rather dried out and discolored, seat backs have moderate fading. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $9,750. The Ruby Red 40th Anniversary edition was the only way you could get a fully monochromatic Corvette in 1993 other than in black or white. This selling price was in market-correct range for the condition and miles, but the deal might have been a touch better for the seller. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S156-1993 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 40th Anniversary convertible. S/N 1G1YY33P5103806. Ruby Red/Ruby Red Engine compartment exhibits maintenance but no intense detailing. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $11,550. There were two bright red LT1-powered C4s here, one on either side of a parking lot island, and this one attracted the most attention. The enthusiastic seller sat with the car throughout the preview and drew quite a crowd. The driver's seat and cracked console lid were not enough to keep the bidders at bay, as the gleaming red paint looked really good on the block. Well sold. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09.

#F32-1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1G1YY32P0S5102680. Bright Aqua Metallic /black cloth/black leather. Odo: 97,168 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Fitted with electronic climate control, Bilstein suspension, and Delco/Bose CD stereo. Good quality repaint at least as good as original finish, replacement PPG windshield, front tires past wear bars. Dealer grade engine compartment with new battery, Magnaflow exhaust from cats to exhaust tips. Lighter interior wear than mileage would lead one to expect. Fitted with door sill protectors in smoke-tinted Plexiglas. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $12,720. Bright Aqua metallic C4s seem to have been a regular feature at most auctions I've been to lately. Just when I think I have a frequent flyer, a crosscheck of the VIN shows it to be a fresh car. The reserve was released at the end of bidding for this market-correct price. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #F46-1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Collector Edition coupe. S/N 1G1YY2257T5106185. Silver/tinted panel/red leather. Odo: 31,308 miles. 350-ci 330-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Fitted with LT4 motor, tinted roof panel, electronic climate control, power seats, and Delco/Bose cassette stereo. Very good original paint, apart from a small nick in leading edge of left front wheelwell along molding strip. Moderate oxidation of in front left corner of hood. Door jambs and body panel gaps holding a lot of gravel road dust despite being washed recently. Very dirty undercarriage, permanently dingy tires, lots of nicks in chrome alloy wheels. Current Texas inspection stickers on the windshield. Heavier wear and wrinkling of Sport Seat leather and carpeting. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $6,500. Hammered sold on the block at $8k, but was listed after the event as having sold at $6,500 after the juice. Either way, it's just a used car that was used like a Silverado—it might even still have fence wire and a pair of farmer pliers in the back, and possibly even a fifth-wheel hitch for a gooseneck trailer. Just pop open the glass hatch, hook up the trailer, and yer good to go. Well sold. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. C5 #S188-2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 50th Anniversary Edition coupe. S/N 1G1YY22G535107367. Anniversary Red/ shale leather. Odo: 8,807 miles. 5.7-liter 350hp fuel-injected LS1 V8, auto. Equipped with optional performance rear axle, memory package, body side moldings, dual roof package, 12-disc CD changer with in-dash cassette deck, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control. GMspec paint panel fit quality with no evidence TOP 10 #10 #S73-2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 427 Edition coupe. S/N 1G1YY26E585126839. Crystal Red Metallic & black/black & gray leather. Odo: 11 miles. 7.0-liter 505-hp fuel-injected LS7 V8, 6-sp. Mid-year 427 package fitted with the only option available—in-dash navigation. Sold on the MSO with eleven miles. Dealer prepped, with front license plate frame still unmounted and sitting in the back of the car. Inside of console lid signed by recently retired factory history prior, now wearing Carlisle graphics. Body excellent, with no evidence of any damage, Bondurant name still visible in paint. Some wheel rash from hard use apparent. Interior very tidy and still race ready. Engine bay very tidy. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $16,275. With new red Corvettes for the Miller's racing efforts already on the track, the old cars had to go. This one was auctioned off to benefit the Chip Miller Foundation. When the reserve came off at $15,000, I reached for my bidder pass and then realized I had been working so hard I forgot to register. Such is life. Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 4/09. C6 aluminum components in engine bay, but plastic components have been cleaned up. Light interior wear indicative of displayed mileage. Heavier surface rust on the rear brake rotors outside of braking surfaces. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $13,515. But I thought that this was the same '96 Collector Edition coupe that sold here last fall, it turns out it was a different car. That makes three of these (two coupes and a convertible) that have been here in the last two sales, after I've never seen one cross the block before. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #S5-1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1YY22P7T5108326. Black /tan leather. Odo: 64,828 miles. 350-ci 300-hp fuelinjected V8, auto. Fitted with aftermarket rear wing and window tint. Rather scruffy older repaint with three-inch diameter star crack of damage. Aftermarket exhaust panel trim plate with 50th Anniversary logo added. Likenew undercarriage and engine bay, very nice interior with only light wear on original floor mats. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $27,030. While an '03 C5 selling at $27k would normally be big bucks in the used car world, the low miles on this minty example made it well bought. Not a smokin' hot bargain, just well bought. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. #F202-2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Bondurant coupe. S/N 1G1YY22G635119740. Yellow/black cloth. Odo: 31,904 miles. 5.7liter 350-hp fuel-injected LS1 V8, 6-sp. ExBob Bondurant Phoenix school car with GM Bowling Green plant manager Will Cooksey. An as-shipped new car with no discernible wear or damage. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $84,800. The sticker price was $85,945 a year ago. With my GM Supplier discount from the day job, this final bid is a hair more than what I would pay for one that would still be in a dealer inventory if I bought this from my local Chevy peddler. “If” being the key word, since all 427 of these were hot property and actually sold well. I wonder if the buyer could get 0% financing from GM, since it was an unsold '08? Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 3/09. ■ www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 75

By the Numbers Top 100 Corvette Sales, February to June 2009* Rank Model 1 1955 Corvette Duntov EX-87 Test Mule 2 1953 Corvette Roadster 3 1963 Corvette 327/360 Z06 Coupe 4 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible 5 1959 Corvette LS3 Custom Convertible 6 1958 Corvette 350/400 Convertible Resto Mod 7 1962 Corvette 327/360 FI Convertible 8 1954 Corvette Roadster 9 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible 10 1958 Corvette 283/245 Convertible 11 1999 Corvette “First Built” 12 1954 Corvette Roadster 13 1963 Corvette FI Coupe 14 1966 Corvette 427/450 Convertible 15 1960 Corvette 283 Convertible 16 1967 Corvette Coupe 17 1966 Corvette 427/435 Coupe 18 2004 Corvette Classic Reflections Custom Convertible 19 1967 Corvette 427/400 Convertible 20 1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible 21 1999 Corvette Lingenfelter 427 Twin Turbo Coupe 22 2007 Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows Special Edition 23 2008 Corvette Z06 Coupe 24 1960 Corvette 283/270 Convertible 25 1957 Corvette 283/283 FI Convertible 26 1957 Corvette FI Convertible 27 1966 Corvette 427/390 Coupe 28 1957 Corvette 283/250 FI Convertible 29 1966 Corvette 427/550 Coupe 30 1968 Corvette 427/435 Convertible 31 1966 Corvette 327/350 Coupe 32 1967 Corvette 427/390 Convertible 33 1964 Corvette Convertible 34 1966 Corvette 427/425 Convertible 35 1966 Corvette 427/425 Coupe 36 1967 Corvette 350 Coupe 37 1969 Corvette 427/435 Convertible 38 1990 Corvette ZR-1 “Active” Prototype 39 1965 Corvette Coupe 40 1963 Corvette 327/250 Coupe 41 1966 Corvette 327/350 Convertible 42 1958 Corvette 283/290 FI Convertible 43 1959 Corvette 283/245 Convertible 44 1968 Corvette 427/435 Convertible 45 1965 Corvette 396/425 Coupe 46 1954 Corvette Roadster 47 1969 Corvette 427/390 Convertible 48 1966 Corvette 327/350 Convertible 76 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com Sold Price Location $328,600 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $198,000 RM, Amelia Island, FL $192,500 RM, Amelia Island, FL $172,250 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $148,500 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $145,750 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $143,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $138,600 Worldwide, Seabrook, TX $130,680 Leake, Oklahoma City, OK $129,800 RM, Amelia Island, FL $110,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $110,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $110,000 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $103,350 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $99,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $96,800 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $95,400 Tom Mack, Charlotte, NC $90,200 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $84,800 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $84,800 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $84,800 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $84,800 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $84,800 Mecum, Kansas City, MO $84,700 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $83,740 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $80,300 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $79,200 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $78,440 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $77,380 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $77,000 Worldwide, Seabrook, TX $75,900 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $75,260 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $71,500 RM, Novi, MI $67,840 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $66,780 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $66,250 Tom Mack, Charlotte, NC $66,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $66,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $64,900 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $63,600 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $62,700 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $62,540 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $62,100 Cox, Branson, MO $61,668 Leake, Oklahoma City, OK $61,000 Cox, Branson, MO $60,500 RM, Amelia Island, FL $59,400 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $58,300 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN Date 5/17/09 3/14/09 3/14/09 5/17/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 4/11/09 5/2/09 2/21/09 3/14/09 4/11/09 4/11/09 Lot # F208 278 287 F236 652.1 S33 674.1 14 2474 292 678.1 664 2/8/09 SP28 5/17/09 4/11/09 2/8/09 4/4/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 3/21/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 2/8/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 5/2/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 4/26/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 4/4/09 4/11/09 4/11/09 2/8/09 5/17/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 4/18/09 2/21/09 4/18/09 3/14/09 S79 637.1 SP31 220 654 F104 F45 F243 F197 S73 681.1 F43 SP86 646 F230 F114 80 656 S89 SP07 S71 T232 217 645 676.1 408 T267 686 F110 550 486 597 266 4/11/09 686.1 5/17/09 W75 *As recorded in the Corvette Market Digital Plus database (www.corvettemarket.com). Auction sales only.

Rank Model 49 1967 Corvette Convertible 50 1967 Corvette 51 1967 Corvette 327/350 Convertible 52 1965 Corvette 396/425 Convertible 53 1954 Corvette Convertible 54 1959 Corvette Convertible 55 1961 Corvette 283/300 Convertible 56 1962 Corvette 327 Convertible 57 1961 Corvette 283/315 FI Convertible 58 1956 Corvette 265/225 Convertible 59 1958 Corvette 283/245 Convertible 60 1968 Corvette 427/435 Convertible 61 1967 Corvette 327/350 Coupe 62 2007 Corvette Z06 Coupe 63 1963 Corvette 327/340 Coupe 64 1967 Corvette 327/350 Convertible 65 1960 Corvette Convertible 66 1956 Corvette Convertible 67 1962 Corvette 327/250 Convertible 68 1964 Corvette 327/365 Convertible 69 1966 Corvette Big Tank Coupe 70 1962 Corvette Convertible 71 2006 Corvette Z06 Coupe “First Built” 72 1964 Corvette 327/365 Convertible 73 1958 Corvette 283/270 Convertible 74 1965 Corvette 327 Convertible 75 1962 Corvette 327/250 Convertible 76 1966 Corvette Coupe 77 1967 Corvette Convertible 78 1964 Corvette 350/350 Convertible 79 1968 Corvette 427/435 80 2005 Corvette Indy 500 Track Car 81 1967 Corvette Coupe 82 1965 Corvette 327/300 Coupe 83 1968 Corvette 427/390 Coupe 84 1964 Corvette 327/350 Convertible 85 1988 Corvette Twin-Turbo Coupe 86 1988 Corvette Challenge Car 87 1969 Corvette 427/390 Coupe 88 1965 Corvette Convertible 89 1964 Corvette Coupe 90 1988 Corvette 35th Anniversary Coupe 91 1963 Corvette 327/300 Convertible 92 1954 Corvette Roadster 93 1964 Corvette Coupe 94 1998 Corvette Convertible “1st C5 Convertible” 95 1994 Corvette Brickyard 400 Festival Convertible 96 1969 Corvette 427/435 Coupe 97 1964 Corvette 327/365 Coupe 98 1997 Corvette CERV IV-B 99 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car Coupe 100 1966 Corvette 327/300 Coupe Sold Price Location $58,300 Worldwide, Escondido, CA $57,750 McCormick, Palm Springs, CA $57,200 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $57,200 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $57,200 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $57,200 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $56,700 Leake, San Antonio, TX $56,180 Mecum, Kansas City, MO $55,650 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $55,120 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $55,120 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $55,080 Leake, Oklahoma City, OK $55,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $55,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $55,000 Worldwide, Escondido, CA $55,000 Mecum, Kansas City, MO $55,000 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $54,600 Carlisle, Carlisle, PA $53,000 Cox, Branson, MO $52,250 Worldwide, Escondido, CA $52,250 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $50,985 Artcurial, Paris, FRA $50,600 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $50,350 G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ $48,760 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $48,358 Bonhams, Hendon, UK $48,230 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $47,300 RM, Novi, MI $46,988 McCormick, Palm Springs, CA $46,200 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $46,110 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $46,110 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $45,100 RM, Ft. Lauderdale, FL $43,460 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $43,460 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $43,450 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $42,900 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $42,400 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $42,350 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $42,000 McCormick, Palm Springs, CA $41,475 McCormick, Palm Springs, CA $41,250 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $40,810 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $40,810 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $40,425 McCormick, Palm Springs, CA $40,280 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $39,750 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $38,690 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN $37,800 Cox, Branson, MO $37,400 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $37,400 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL $37,100 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN Date 4/4/09 2/22/09 4/11/09 4/11/09 Lot # 369 184 398 344 2/8/09 NR47 2/8/09 3/21/09 3/21/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 SP69 2483 S167 F38 F235 T74 2/21/09 210 4/11/09 4/11/09 4/4/09 3/21/09 2/8/09 4/24/09 4/18/09 4/4/09 638 47 391 SP118 T38 569 397 2/8/09 NR27 4/27/09 4/11/09 2/26/09 28 679.2 6141 5/17/09 U165 4/20/09 5/17/09 4/26/09 2/22/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 2/8/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 365 T159 413 167 348.2 F181 F200 445 F125 U94 4/11/09 355.2 4/11/09 5/17/09 4/11/09 2/22/09 2/22/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 2/22/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 5/17/09 4/18/09 4/11/09 4/11/09 5/17/09 57.1 F207 386 149 180 38 T153 U88 388 F195 F198 S78 605 677 342.1 T9 www.vettemarket.com SPRING 2009 Corvette Market 77

In Miniature By Marshall Buck Speaking Volumes By Mark Wigginton Fuelies: Fuel Injected Corvettes 1957–65 By Robert Genat, Car Tech, 192 pages, $22.76, Amazon.com If you slide alongside a beautiful '57 Corvette convertible at a stop light, you won't even have to look at the badges to know it's a fuelie. Over the loping idle, distinctive clatter of solid lifters, and low burble coming from the twin pipes is a sweet over-note, the telling tone—the intake whistle of the Rochester fuel injection system. You have just entered fuelie heaven. Chevrolet introduced fuel injection on the 1959 Corvette Fuelie Realizing they might have gone overboard with chrome trim and styling clichés in 1958, Chevrolet toned down the 1959 Corvette. The list of mechanical changes and improvements over the previous model year was short. The fact that there were visible changes is good news for all who collect models, since it gives manufacturers reason to produce more variations. Such is the case with the new 1:24-scale release from the Danbury Mint (DM). Continuing the tradition started in 2003, celebrating the 50th anniversary of each model year of Corvette, we now have the 2009 “Special 50th Anniversary Limited Edition.” This edition will only be available until December 2009. It's not the first '59 DM has produced; there's also an unlimited-production Frost Blue convertible with blue interior and cream convertible top. That model sports the carbureted engine. Back to our sharp-looking, fuel-injected car in Inca Silver with cream coves and red interior. This color combination always grabs attention. As usual, the crew at DM paid close attention to detail differences between the '58 they previously modeled and the '59. Chrome was removed from the trunk, there's a new hood without the faux vents, restyled ten-slot wheel covers, reshaped seats with new pleating, relocation of the door handles and reshaped arm rests, obviously revised door panels, an added storage shelf under the passenger side grab handle, and optional sun visors, which pivot up and down, as on the 1:1 car. The reverse lockout T-bar on the gear shift has also been added. This model comes with a removable black convertible top in the up position. It has been detailed to perfectly capture the scaled look of the material, along with its little label on the left below the window. All inside framework has been replicated. The body shape and overall fit and finish are terrific. The model is extensively detailed with working features. The hood opens on a well-simulated telescoping support. The engine bay includes the correct plumbing, fittings, and labels—all correctly placed. I especially like the detailed throttle linkage. Other working features are doors that pivot from internal hinges, an opening gas cap door, working steering, suspension, and trunk. The antenna also goes up, but it is about the only detracting feature, so best left down. Nothing in the interior has been missed, from properly scaled carpeting and cloth seat belts with metal latches to switchgear and gauges, some of which are legible. Pop open the trunk and you'll see accurately detailed removable components like the ultra-thin floor mat over the simulated wood cover atop the spare tire. If you whip out a magnifying glass, you'll be able to read the warning and jacking instructions on the tire cover. The jack is molded into the inside of the spare wheel center. The chassis is fully detailed too. Reasonably priced at $149. www.danburymint.com 78 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com '59 Vette Details Production Dates: 2009 only Quantity: 15,000 approx. Ratings: Overall Quality: Authenticity: Overall Value: Web: www.danburymint.com Corvette and passenger car models in 1957, in an era when America's future was limitless; styling cues came from new jet fighters and Monsanto's House of Tomorrow was a big attraction at Disneyland. Fuel injection was automotive Tomorrowland, snapped up by “early adopters” before there was such a thing, as well as enthusiasts who recognized how inexpensive more horsepower could be. After all, the '57 Corvette, with Rochester fuel injection, was making an advertised 283 horsepower from 283 cubes, arguably the first mass-produced car to go one to one. But the era was short lived, as high-performance carburetors and big-block V8s won the horsepower wars with less expense—and less hassle. For years, fuelie owners stripped off the units and put them on dusty garage shelves in the time when an old Corvette was a used car, not a classic. How times have changed, now with fuelies being the most desirable, most sought-after models, with prices to match. Robert Genat's text and photography detail the tech and the times, taking you through how the Rochester system works and the cars it graced, from Corvettes to Chevrolet sedans, as well as offerings from Pontiac. As far as racing goes, fuel-injected '57 Chevrolet sedans were winning in NASCAR, before the rules were changed to outlaw fuel-injection. Instead, fuelies became the darlings of the local drag strip, and the system gave road racers a solution to fuel starvation problems they were suffering in carbureted cars, along with plenty of wins. Provenance: Genat, as photographer/author, had hands-on access to the cars in the book and their current owners, and the attention to detail in both images and text is striking. Fit and finish: Fuelies is filled with beautiful car portraiture. The simple design marries the images and text unobtrusively, and the terrific reproduction shows all involved have the sensibilities of a concours entrant. Drivability: If the introduction of fuel injection provided more bang for the buck for the underpowered early Corvette, then Fuelies returns the favor, with plenty of information, eye-popping photos and easy readability in a low-priced package.

Resource Directory Auction Companies Kruse International. 800.968.4444, 5540 CR llA Auburn, IN 46706. Largest Collector Car Auction Company, holding over 35 auctions per year. Home of the 480-acre Auction Park in Auburn, IN, where the 37th Annual Labor Day Auction will be held with over 5,000 cars and 150,000 people. www.kruse.com. (IN) Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers. 815.568.8888, 815.568.6615. 950 Greenlee St., Marengo, IL 60015. Auctions: Orlando, Kansas City, Rockford, Bloomington Gold, St. Paul, Des Moines, Carlisle, and Chicago. Nobody Sells More Muscle Than Mecum. Nobody. www .mecumauction.com. (IL) Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles. 602.252.2697, 602.252.6260. 5230 South 39th Street, Phoenix AZ 85040. info@russoandsteele.com; www .russoandsteele.com. (AZ) Silver Auctions. 800.255.4485, 2020 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA 99205. silver@silverauctions.com. www.silverauctions.com. (WA) The Worldwide Group. 866.273.6394, Established by John Kruse and Rod C. Egan, The Worldwide Group— Auctioneers, Appraisers and Brokers —is one of the world's premier auction houses, specializing in the procurement and sale of the world's finest automobiles and vintage watercraft. www.wwgauctions.com. (TX) Corvette Parts & Restoration County Corvette 610.696.7888, Sales, service, parts and restoration. When it must be right. www.countycorvette.com. (PA) Mid America Motorworks 800.500.1500, America's leader in 1953-2008 Corvette parts and accessories. Request a free catalog at www.mamotorworks.com. (IL) Classic Car Transport Intercity Lines, Inc.. 800.221.3936, 413.436.9422. Rapid, hassle-free, coast-to-coast service. Insured enclosed transport for your valuable car at affordable prices. State-of-the-art satellite Put your company in the CM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 x211, or email advert@vettemarket.com transport tracking. Complete service for vintage races, auctions, relocations. www.intercitylines .com. (MA) Insurance Hagerty Collector Car Insur- ance. 800.922.4050. Collector cars aren't like their late-model counterparts. These classics actually appreciate in value so standard market policies that cost significantly more won't do the job. We'll agree on a fair value and cover you for the full amount. No prorated claims, no hassles, no games. www.hagerty.com. (MI) Corvettes for Sale Corvette Central Parts and accessories for all corvettes. Corvette Central has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of Corvette parts and accessories since 1975. We offer the most comprehensive and detailed parts catalogs on the market today and produce a different catalog for each Corvette generation. All catalogs are also online with full search and order features. From Blue Flame 6 to the new C6, only Corvette Central has it all. www.corvettecentral.com. (MI) County Corvette. 610.696.7888, The most modern and best equipped Corvette-only facility in the nation. www.countycorvette.com. (PA) The Chevy Store At The Chevy Store, you will find only the highest grade, investment quality Corvette and specialty Chevrolet automobiles. We take pride in providing our clients with the finest selection anywhere. Offering investment quality corvettes and Chevrolets for over 30 years! 503-256-5384 (p) 503-256-4767(f) www.thechevystore.com. (OR) Museums National Corvette Museum 800-53-VETTE, The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY was established as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation with a mission of celebrating the invention of the Corvette and preserving its past, present and future. www.corvettemuseum .com. (KY) ■ Ad Index Al Knoch Interiors ............................ 41 Barrett-Jackson ............................... 84 Baymont Inn & Suites...................... 43 Bloomington Gold .......................... 17 Bloomington Gold .......................... 19 Bob Bondurant School of H.P.D. ... 39 Carlisle Events.................................. 25 Classic Auto Insurance................... 61 Classic Reflection Coachworks .... 13 Competition Components............ 80 Continental Western....................... 23 Corvette America........................... 35 Corvette Collector.......................... 65 Corvette Correction....................... 71 Corvette Market ............................. 81 Corvette Repair Inc........................ 21 Corvette Specialties....................... 71 Corvettes Of Houston..................... 27 County Corvette............................... 2 Eastern Corvettes............................ 80 Factory Reproductions................... 83 Heacock Insurance........................ 79 Intercity Lines ................................... 65 Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc.... 57 Kruse International.......................... 45 Leland West ..................................... 49 Long Island Corvette Supply Inc... 57 Mecum Auction................................ 7 MidAmerica....................................... 3 Midwest Corvettes & Classics ....... 57 National Corvette Museum........... 53 National Corvette Restorers Society.............................................. 55 Price Tracker .................................... 53 Ronald McDonald House.............. 47 Silver Auctions.................................. 15 St Bernard Church Raffle ............... 71 Superior Glass Works....................... 11 Swissvax............................................ 51 Thomas C Sunday Inc .................... 71 Trailex Inc.......................................... 55 Zip Products ..................................... 55 80 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com

Corvette Market Goes to Monterey! Come visit the CM staff in Monterey in August during the vintage week. In conjunction with Sports Car Market, we will have a presence at: • Concorso Italiano (booth) • The Gathering at the Quail (booth) • The RM Auction • The Bonhams Auction • Russo and Steele (booth) • The Gooding Auction (booth) • The Kruse Auction (booth) • The Carmel-By-The Sea Concours • Pebble Beach Retro (with ReOriginals) • The Concours d'Lemons (booth) • The Automobilia Show (with ReOriginals) Renew in Monterey and get a 2009 Corvette Market t-shirt! www.corvettemarket.com

Vette-o-bilia A Online trash and trinkets—some valuable, some not. By Carl Bomstead. Worth a Mint? Don't plan to get rich on Corvette models unless you know the production run was limited seller recently offered 100 Franklin Mint 2006 Corvette Z06 limited-edition models on eBay. They were all finished in Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic and were fresh-in-the-box merchandise with all the paperwork intact. They were offered at a Buy-it-Now price of $3,000, but alas, no takers. The models had a retail value of $105 each, so there was a profit potential of $7,500, less the shoe leather of selling them all. The problem is that the secondary market for Franklin Mint and Danbury models has never been strong. Highest price I could find was a Franklin Mint 2006 Z06 in red that sold for $41, so that takes the potential profit down to $1,000 or so. I guess it's a good thing I passed. EBAY #300310218497— 1991–96 CORVETTE TAIL CLIP WALL HANGING. Number of Bids: 4. SOLD AT: $400. Date Sold: 5/01/2009. This C4 rear clip was wired so the taillights and license plate were functional. C4 ROAR license plate was a neat added touch. Just the thing for your rec room or garage, if you have the full-size version parked on the property. Price paid seems more than fair, if shipping isn't prohibitive. EBAY #33032488—SNAP- ON LS7 CORVETTE ENGINE DESK CLOCK. Number of Bids: 1. SOLD AT: $60. Date Sold: 5/03/2009. This was a 1:6-scale LS7 Corvette engine and desk clock. The engine was highly detailed and turning the key activated the engine sound, taking you to the open road without ever leaving your desk. The shipping was free on this one, but two others sold for about the same price, with shipping $14.90 on one and $39.80 on the other. It pays to read the fine print. EBAY #290313596282— 1982 FRANKLIN MINT LIMITED EDITION CORVETTE. Number of bids: 25. SOLD AT: $355.40. Date Sold: 5/03/2009. This was a limited edition of “only” 6,759 and was #1,550. Importantly, this included the box and papers. It had never been displayed and was unpackaged for the pictures. It was highly detailed and attracted a lot of attention, actually selling for more than the issue price. A rare occurrence. Franklin Mint C12 and was signed by Reeves Callaway on the rear deck. Another “limited edition,” but this time only 3,500 were produced and this was #1,866. It was in a very nice presentation box and attracted a lot of attention with 25 bids. These models rarely hold their value due to the large numbers produced, and I am sure this price was a bunch more than new. I guess it's a good buy if these are your thing. Chief Engineers for Corvette had autographed at two different gatherings in Seattle in the early '80s. Very cool piece with both signatures. I'm surprised it did not attract more interest and sell for a bit more. EBAY #220406542891—C1 CORVETTE IGNITION KEY SET. Number of Bids: 9. SOLD AT: $128. Date Sold: 5/10/2009. The keys in this key set unfolded as if it were a penknife. I think it was an aftermarket set and had the image of a C1 on one side and a Corvette logo on the other. The keys had been cut, so I don't know if they can be re-cut for another car. Still, an interesting period piece for a C1 owner. EBAY #120410942930— EBAY #250412494000— EBAY #250414298986— SIGNED FRANKLIN MINT CORVETTE CALLAWAY C12. Number of Bids: 25. SOLD AT: $123.51. Date Sold: 5/03/2009. This was a 1:24-scale 82 Corvette Market SPRING 2009 www.vettemarket.com ZORA DUNTOV, DAVE McLELLAN AUTOGRAPHED REPRODUCTION WINDOW STICKER. Number of Bids: 1. SOLD AT: $49.99. Date Sold: 5/2/2009. This was a reproduction 1963 Corvette window sticker that the two most famous 1973 CORVETTE DEALER PROMO CAR. Number of Bids: 17. SOLD AT: $179.22. Date Sold: 5/03/2009. Dealer promo cars lacked detail and were normally a single color. This one was seven inches long and in good condition but was missing the original box. Prices on promo cars range from $500 to a few dollars for the mundane, so rarity plays a large role in value. This one sold at the higher range, attracted a lot of interest, and was worth the price paid. ■